Thanksgiving Safety Tips from Hopatcong's Fire Marshal

Thanksgiving can be a magical time when family and friends share a special meal and reflect on all for which we can and should be grateful. At the same time, this first of the winter-season holidays can mean potential danger, particularly for those who use turkey fryers. Hopatcong Fire Marshal Rich Cook has some important information to help keep Thanksgiving Day fire safe for you and your loved ones. 

"Fried turkey may be delicious, and it cooks quickly, but don’t let the turkey fryer ruin your holiday or worse, cause your house to catch fire," Cook said, and he said statistics show how dangerous these deep-fat cookers can be.

State Farm Insurance claims data from 2005 to 2009 shows 1,000 deep-fat fryer fires each year, with grease and cooking related claims more than doubling on Thanksgiving Day alone compared to an average day in November.

The marshal said taking the following steps can help you prepare fried turkey safely

• Check the propane cylinder hose and connections for leaks before using it. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose and connections will reveal escaping propane by quickly releasing bubbles.
• If you determine your fryer has a gas leak by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the propane tank and fryer.
  
• If the leak stops, get the fryer 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.
• 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, it's empty;  where it feels cool, there is propane. 
  
  

• Do not attempt to move a hot fryer. 
• Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
• Follow the manufacturers' instructions on how to set up the fryer and maintain it.
• Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas fryer or 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—don’t go over 350 degrees.
• Never use ice to cool the oil.
• Keep pets and children away from the fryer.
  
• Always fry outside away from the house.

• Never leave the cooking unattended.
• If a fire starts in the oven or microwave, turn off or unplug the appliance, and keep the door closed until the fire burns out.
• If a fire starts on the stove, turn off the burner and slide a lid on the pan. Never use water or flour to put a fire out.
• Have a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires handy. To use it, remember the acronym P.A.S.S.: Pull the pin; Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire; Squeeze the nozzle to spray; Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire as you spray.