Omaha, NE – Nebraska fire officials are reminding residents to take extra precautions when deep-frying turkeys this Thanksgiving, saying the popular cooking trend continues to be one of the leading causes of holiday house fires and injuries across the country.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that Thanksgiving Day sees more than 2,300 home cooking fires nationwide each year — the most of any day. Newsweek data shows that deep-fryer accidents cause about five deaths, 60 injuries, and $15 million in property losses annually.
The danger occurs when frozen or wet turkeys are lowered into oil heated to 350 degrees. The moisture turns instantly to steam, expanding 1,700 times its volume, which sends boiling oil over the pot and into open flames or onto flammable materials.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends safer cooking methods such as air fryers, infrared cookers, or store-bought fried turkeys. For those who still plan to fry, safety officials advise cooking outdoors on level concrete, ensuring the turkey is completely thawed and dry, and keeping a fire extinguisher nearby.
