Kansas City, MO – Missouri fire officials are warning residents to be cautious this Thanksgiving, saying deep-frying frozen turkeys remains one of the most dangerous holiday cooking methods and a leading cause of home fires nationwide.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Thanksgiving Day is the top day for home cooking fires, with more than 2,300 incidents reported annually. Newsweek data shows deep-fryer accidents lead to five deaths, 60 injuries, and roughly $15 million in property damage each year.
The hazard occurs when frozen or wet turkeys are placed into oil heated to 350 degrees. The trapped water rapidly turns to steam, expanding 1,700 times in volume, and forcing boiling oil to spill over the pot — often igniting fires when it reaches open flames or nearby materials.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends air fryers, infrared models, or pre-fried turkeys as safer alternatives. For those who still plan to fry, officials stress cooking outdoors on level concrete, ensuring turkeys are fully thawed and dry, and keeping a fire extinguisher within reach.
