Crime & Safety

Letter: How to Avoid Turkey Fryer Fires

Hopatcong's fire marshal has a few tips for you.

Rich Cook knows a little bit about fire safety. After all, he's Hopatcong's fire marshal.

Cook has seen it all, and he wanted to share these little-known turkey fryer tips with Hopatcong residents. Read his letter to the editor below.

Fried turkey may be delicious, but don’t let the turkey fryer ruin your holiday or worse, cause your house to catch fire.

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Based on its claims data from 2005 to 2009, State Farm Insurance said deep fryer fires number 1,000 a year with grease and cooking related claims more than doubling on Thanksgiving Day compared to an average day in November.

Check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will reveal escaping propane quickly by releasing bubbles. If you determined your grill has a gas leak by smell or the soapy bubble test and there is no flame: turn off the propane tank and grill.

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If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.

If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.

All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow of propane before capacity is reached, limiting the potential for release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up. OPDs are easily identified by their triangular-shaped hand wheel.

So please everyone, follow these simple tips to insure you cook and fry safely.

  • Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers' instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it
  • Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside
  • Don’t overfill the pot with cooking oil
  • Thaw and thoroughly dry the turkey before frying
  • Carefully regulate the temperature of the oil
  • Never use ice to cool the oil
  • Always fry outside away from the house
  • Never leave the cooking unattended
  • Keep pets and children away from the fryer

Oh, one last handy tip I picked up to check the level of propane in the tank. Fill a container with hot water and pour the hot water down the side of the propane tank. Then touch the metal where you just poured the water. Where the metal feels warm, its empty, where it feels cool, there is propane. Enjoy.


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