Essential Tips for Turkey Frying Safety from the Bargersville Fire Department

The Bargersville Fire Department highlights the importance of frying your turkey safely this Thanksgiving.

Cooking a turkey can be a delightful experience, but it’s crucial to avoid any mishaps that could turn your holiday into a disaster. We consulted with Deputy Chief Mike Pruitt from the Bargersville Fire Department to understand the potential risks involved in frying a turkey.

“If you plan on frying your turkey this Thanksgiving there's a lot of ways that it could go wrong," said Deputy Chief Mike Pruitt. "You need to make sure you cook the turkey outside, have the right amount of oil in your pot, thaw your turkey days in advance and watch the temperature of your grease and oil."

Pruitt emphasizes that preparation is essential for keeping everyone safe during the cooking process.

He recalls previous incidents where improper frying methods led to devastating results, including one case where a house burned down after someone fried their turkey on their porch.

“You need to do a nice inspection on your equipment and make sure that your hose going to your propane tank is good," said Pruitt. "You also need to have enough fuel to cook the turkey because you don't want to be the Debbie Downer that runs out of this when you're cooking up a nice juicy turkey."

Pruitt advises keeping children and pets away from the cooking area and monitoring the oil level closely.

"When you're choosing your oil stay away from vegetable oil," said Pruitt. "You also need to make sure no one has a nut allergy in the family if you choose to use peanut oil."

By following these safety tips, you can enjoy a deliciously fried turkey while preventing any unfortunate accidents this Thanksgiving.