Turkey Fryers Can Pose Fire Danger, Firefighters Say
Firefighters respond to some 155,000 cooking fires each year.
Frying a turkey this year? It may result in a juicier turkey than traditional preparation methods, but firefighters say don't put your taste for turkey over safety and sensibility. More than 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires are reported each year, causing an average of $21 million in property damage and fire deaths, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Check out the complete Lorton Patch Holiday Guide here. Some of those fires start when a turkey fryer is misused or left unattended, firefighters said. Leaving cooking food unattended and falling asleep while cooking is a main cause of kitchen fires. Over the years, turkey fryer manufacturers have improved the devices, but superheated oil and high temperatures still make them risky to …