Minneapolis, MN – Minnesota fire officials are reminding residents to be cautious when deep-frying turkeys this Thanksgiving, saying the popular method remains one of the most dangerous holiday cooking traditions across the country.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that Thanksgiving Day leads all U.S. holidays in home cooking fires, with more than 2,300 incidents annually. Newsweek data shows that deep-fryer accidents result in five deaths, 60 injuries, and about $15 million in property damage each year.
The danger occurs when frozen or wet turkeys are lowered into oil heated to 350 degrees. The trapped moisture turns to steam, expanding 1,700 times in volume, forcing boiling oil over the pot and into flames or nearby surfaces, often igniting fires within seconds.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends safer alternatives such as air fryers, infrared cookers, or pre-fried turkeys. For those who still plan to deep-fry, safety officials advise cooking outdoors on level concrete, ensuring the turkey is completely thawed and dry, and keeping a fire extinguisher close by at all times.
