Raleigh, NC – Fire officials across North Carolina are reminding residents this Thanksgiving that one wrong move in the kitchen can turn a holiday feast into a fire disaster. The key warning: never deep-fry a frozen turkey.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Thanksgiving leads all U.S. holidays for cooking-related fires, with more than 2,300 home incidents reported annually. Newsweek data shows that deep-fryer accidents alone result in an average of five deaths, 60 injuries, and $15 million in property damage each year.
Experts explain that when ice from a frozen bird meets 350-degree oil, it instantly turns to steam — expanding about 1,700 times in volume and forcing boiling oil out of the pot. That overflow can ignite almost instantly when it touches open flames or nearby materials.
The National Fire Protection Association urges consumers to skip traditional oil fryers and consider air fryers or electric models instead. Those who proceed should keep fryers outdoors on level concrete, ensure the turkey is fully thawed and dry, and never leave hot oil unattended.
