Thanksgiving Cooking and

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

Top 10 safety tips

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Source: NFPA



Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

Some people count down all year for the one day they use their turkey fryer-that would be Thanksgiving Day! While this cooking method may produce a delicious turkey, it can also cause burns, serious injuries and property damage. Michael Julazadeh is the chief Fire Marshall for the city of Charleston in South Carolina. Through PBS, he has provided some turkey frying safety tips.  You can find additional fire safety information on the fire department’s website.

1.      Stay Away from The House – Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home and keep children and pets away. Never leave it unattended.

2.      Find Flat Ground – The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed.

3.      Use a Thawed and Dry Turkey – Make sure your Thanksgiving turkey is completely thawed and dry. Extra water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over. If oil spills from the fryer onto the burner, it can cause a fire.

4.      Monitor the Temp – Use caution when touching the turkey fryer. The lid and handle can become very hot and could cause burns. Also be sure to keep track of the oil’s temperature as many fryers do not have their own thermostats.

5.      Be Prepared – Have a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry-powder) ready at all times in the event that the oil ignites.

Source:PBS, Michael Julazadeh



Additionally, you should wear safety gear such as oven mitts and an apron, in case the oil splashes.   Always follow the recipe and don't try to "wing it" on your own.  Keep bystanders to a minimum and do not leave the turkey fryer unattended.

We hope your Thanksgiving is filled with amazing food and loving friends and family. Whether you are traveling or hosting, we hope everyone stays healthy and safe. You can visit the SC Department of Insurance website for more Thanksgiving safety tips.