Richmond, VA – Fire officials across Virginia are warning residents to think twice before deep-frying their Thanksgiving turkeys this year, saying the popular cooking method is one of the most common causes of holiday house fires.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Thanksgiving Day leads the nation in home cooking fires, with more than 2,300 reported incidents each year. Newsweek adds that turkey fryer accidents alone cause five deaths, 60 injuries, and about $15 million in property damage annually.
The problem often starts when home chefs lower a frozen or wet bird into oil heated to 350 degrees. The rapid conversion of water to steam — expanding roughly 1,700 times in volume — sends boiling oil out of the fryer and into open flames or nearby combustibles.
Officials recommend frying only outdoors on flat, nonflammable surfaces, using a completely thawed and dry bird, and keeping a fire extinguisher close by. The National Fire Protection Association suggests using air fryers or oil-free models instead for a safer Thanksgiving experience.
