Providence, RI – Rhode Island fire officials are issuing a holiday warning to residents planning to deep-fry their Thanksgiving turkeys this year, saying one small mistake could lead to devastating fires and injuries.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires cause over 2,300 home incidents every Thanksgiving, making it the year’s most dangerous holiday for kitchen disasters. Deep-fried turkeys account for many of those fires, causing an estimated $15 million in damages, 60 injuries, and five deaths each year nationwide.
Experts say the danger comes when home cooks place frozen or partially thawed turkeys into boiling oil. The rapid change from ice to steam creates an explosive reaction that sends scalding oil flying out of the fryer, often igniting nearby structures.
The National Fire Protection Association continues to discourage the use of outdoor oil fryers, recommending air fryers or infrared models instead. For those who proceed, officials stress using fryers outdoors on flat, nonflammable surfaces, keeping children and pets away, and never leaving hot oil unattended.
