The Colorado Springs Fire Department held a demonstration on Friday, Nov. 12, to help people stay safe during the holidays.
Firefighters did everything wrong when frying a turkey, such as overfilling the oil and letting it get too hot. Thanksgiving Day is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment.
Turkey-frying tips from the CSFD:
Always use the turkey fryer outdoors at safe distance from buildings and any flammable material;
Thaw out the turkey completely and pat it dry;
Place the fryer on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping;
Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby (never use water);
Never leave the fryer unattended;
Don’t let children or pets near the fryer;
Do not overfill the fryer; and
Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the pot or lid handles.
To put out a grease fire, you’ll need to smother the flames with a pot cover, flour or an all-purpose or dry-chemical extinguisher. Immediately call 911 if you can’t put out the fire yourself.
