Photo by Bryan Oller
Photo by Bryan Oller

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.