Albany, NY – Fire officials across New York are reminding residents that deep-frying a turkey — while fast and tasty — can be one of the most dangerous Thanksgiving traditions. The message is simple: never fry a frozen turkey.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking is the number one cause of Thanksgiving Day home fires, with more than 2,300 reported incidents each year. Newsweek reports that turkey fryer accidents alone result in an average of five deaths, 60 injuries, and $15 million in property losses annually.
The explosive risk comes from water trapped inside a frozen or partially thawed bird. When submerged in oil heated to 350 degrees, the ice instantly turns to steam, expanding roughly 1,700 times in volume. That rapid expansion forces boiling oil to erupt from the fryer, often spreading flames to decks, garages, and homes.
The National Fire Protection Association strongly advises against using outdoor oil fryers. Safer alternatives include electric or infrared fryers — or simply buying a pre-fried turkey from a restaurant or grocery store.
For those who insist on frying, New York fire departments recommend setting up fryers outdoors on level pavement, keeping children and pets away, and monitoring the oil temperature closely.
