Frying a Turkey for Thanksgiving? Safety Tips for Fry Newbies

A deep-fried turkey may seem like a dream Thanksgiving feast, but if cooked incorrectly, can turn horribly horribly wrong.

Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) offers these tips to keep deep fryer beginners from setting fire to themselves, their homes and/or family members.

Remember: You're working with 350-degree oil. The trick is to keep that oil inside the fryer.

• DO NOT deep fry a turkey inside your house or on a wooden deck.
• Make sure the deep fryer is standing on flat, stable ground.
• DO NOT try to thaw a frozen or partially-frozen turkey in the fryer.
• Use gloves and safety goggles when using the fryer to protect yourself from oil splatter.
• DO NOT leave your fryer unattended.
• Alcohol and cooking oil don't mix. Don't drink and deep fry.
• DO NOT use the garden hose to extinguish a deep-fryer mishap. Use a portable dry chemical fire extinguisher and call 911.

Click here to read more and for links to deep-fryer safety videos.