Deep Frying Turkeys Delicious, Dangerous: Allstate Encourages Potential Backyard Chefs to Put Safety First at Thanksgiving
November 11, 2010
CHARLESTON, SC – November 11, 2010 – Eating turkey on Thanksgiving is a tradition that is as American as apple pie.
In recent years, deep-frying has become an increasingly popular way to cook this holiday bird because the process creates tender, juicy meat enveloped in a crisp outer skin. But there is a downside to the deep-frying method – the increased potential for fire or injury.
The combination of extremely hot oil, a large item to fry, outdoor conditions and turkey-frying inexperience pose dangers including:
The Spillover Effect
Combustion
Burns
: The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.: With no thermostat controls, fryer units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.: Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil within the cooking pot. If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner/flames causing a fire to engulf the entire unit. Additionally, partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect.
Given the added dangers, Allstate recommends all soon-to-be turkey chefs carefully consider the risks associated with deep frying. Don’t compromise your safety and the safety of those you love just to achieve a better tasting turkey, cautioned Bob Holden, field vice president of Allstate’s Southeast Region.
Should the deep-frying still become the cooking method of choice, Allstate recommends that backyard chefs closely adhere to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety guidelines for frying turkeys:
Keep fryer in full view while burner is on.
Place fryer in an open area away from all walls, fences, or other structures.
Never use a fryer in, on, or under a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or any structure that can catch fire.
Raise and lower food slowly to reduce splatter and avoid burns.
Cover your bare skin when adding or removing food.
Check the oil temperature frequently.
If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn gas supply off.
If a fire occurs, immediately call 911. Do not attempt to extinguish fire with water.
For more information on this or any other safety tips, please contact Allstate agent Wally Burbage at 843-766-1221, 843-881-1921 or via email at [email protected].
About the Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the You’re In Good Hands With Allstate® slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.
