Fire Safety: Turkey Fryer Dangers

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we wanted to share some basic safety tips when working with Turkey fryers:

Turkey fryer hazards

Turkey fryers pose certain hazards that you should avoid at all costs:

• Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil from 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 or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
• Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too may result in an extensive fire.
• With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
• The lid and handles on the sides of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.

Important safety information

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips:
• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
• Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is occurs use your all-purpose fire extinguisher and call 911 immediately for fire department assistance.


Information primarily based on theinformation provided by the Underwriters Laboratories®.

CFD Activity 11/3 - 11/18

On Monday 11/9 our members drilled on the use of portable pumps. Portable pumps a very useful in supplying water to fires from swimming pools, ponds, rivers and streams when a fire truck can get close enough. On Monday 11/16 CFD conducted a drill on hose lines, focusing on extended lays and hand line advancement. During this time Engine 45-1 and Tower 45 were also serviced. During this period CFD responded to 7 calls, a summary follows.

11/4/09 @ 11:01 am - Fire Box 4601 Level 1 - Bundt Park in Clinton Township for Engine 45-1 to set up a landing zone for a medical helicopter. CFD was cancelled by Annandale Hose Company(46) as they had sufficient manpower to handle the call at 11:03 am.

11/6/09 @ 2:10 pm - Fire Box 2549 Level 1 - Interstate 78 in Union Township for a reported grass fire in the median. Chief 45 responded immediately and arrived in the area within 2 minutes and found no fire. Chief 45 held all units in station while he checked 78 from Exit 12 to Exit 16 and cancelled all units at 2:19 pm.

11/6/06 @ 3:40 pm - Fire Box 2549 Level 1 - Interstate 78 near Exit 13 for a grass fire in the median. Chief 45 arrived on scene @ 3:42 pm and again found no fire. All units remained in quarters while Chief 45 checked the highway from Exit 12 to 16. With nothing being found all units were cancelled at 3:50 pm.

11/7/09 @ 12:51 pm - Fire Box 9102 Level 1 - Engine 45-1 was requested to respond mutual aid with Quakertown Fire Company(91) on Upper Kingtown Road for a large brush fire. Engine 45-1 arrived at 1:04 pm and assisted QFC extinguish and overhaul the fire. All units were back in quarters at 2:19 pm.

11/14/09 @ 6:56 pm - Fire Box 4504 Level 4 - Lakeview Avenue in the Town of Clinton for a carbon monoxide(CO) detector activation. Since all occupants were out of the residence and no one was feeling ill, all CFD units responded in a non-emergency mode(no lights or siren). Engine 45-2 arrived at 7:06 pm and used gas detector to determine there was CO in the residence. initial readings of 40 parts per million(ppm) were found in the basement and garage. Further investigation found the CO was from the car exhaust and after venting the residence all units cleared at 7:32 pm.

11/17/09 @ 3:13 pm - Fire box 4505 Level 1 - Interstate 78 in area of Exit 16 for a smoke investigation. Chief 45 could see the smoke from Grey Rock Rd in Clinton Township. Annandale Hose Company(46) was also dispatched due to the unknown location and source of the smoke. Chief 45 arrived in the area and the smoke had disappeared. Chief 45 checked from Exit 15 to Petticoat Lane and found nothing. All units were cancelled at 3:25 pm.

11/18/09 @ 1:11 am - Fire Box 9106 Level 3 - Walmart in Franklin Township for the structure fire. Tower 45 and Engine 45-1 responded mutual aid with Quakertown Fire Company(91) on the first alarm. High Bridge, Annandale, and Lebanon also responded on the first alarm as did Clinton Rescue Squad. Units arrived and found a moderate smoke condition and 2 sprinkler head activated in the store. Investigation found the fire was in the artificial flower section and the sprinklers had extinguished it. Units operated to shut down the sprinklers, secure the power, and ventilate the smoke. Clinton Rescue Squad treated a civilian with a burn injury but did not transport. All CFD units were released and back in quarters at 3:35 am. Franklin Township Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Click here for NJ.com Article - Walmart fire