Columbus, OH – Ohio fire officials are warning residents this Thanksgiving to use caution when deep-frying turkeys, saying the popular cooking trend remains one of the leading causes of holiday house fires across the country.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Thanksgiving Day consistently leads the nation in home cooking fires, with over 2,300 incidents reported annually. Newsweek data shows deep-fryer accidents cause about five deaths, 60 injuries, and $15 million in property damage every year.
The risk occurs when frozen or wet turkeys are placed in oil heated to 350 degrees. The trapped moisture turns instantly to steam, expanding 1,700 times its original volume, forcing boiling oil out of the pot and onto nearby flames or combustible materials.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends using air fryers, infrared cookers, or pre-fried turkeys instead of traditional oil fryers. For those who still plan to fry, officials urge setting up outdoors on flat concrete, ensuring the turkey is completely thawed and dry, and keeping children, pets, and flammable materials far from the fryer.
