Turkey deep frying dangers

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Deep frying a turkey is one of the leading reasons fire fighters respond to a fire on Thanksgiving Day. Terre Haute fire fighters showed News 10 how to safely deep fry a turkey this holiday season.

Thanksgiving is usually the day when many people pop a turkey into the oven but some turkey lovers tend to fry their foods.
Deep frying a turkey can be dangerous if people aren’t safe.

Lieutenant Jeff Wineinger, with the Terre Haute Fire Department says the most important step is to make sure that your turkey is completely thawed because a frozen turkey can cause a fire.

"First thing you should do is get out, don't even try and mess with it.  If it’s on fire but with oil you can't use water on an oil fire because all you’ll do is spread it all over the place. So the best thing you could possible do is call 911 and let us handle it,” said Wineinger.

Some safety tips to follow this Holiday season, one it's important to place your deep fryer away from your home; never deep fry inside a garage or on a deck.

Two, keep an eye on your oil, make sure the temperature doesn’t go past 400 degrees.

Three, use a fresh turkey or make sure your turkey is completely thawed.