‘Tis The Season For Deep-Fried Turkeys And Fires

Nov. 21--Whether you're trying out that new turkey fryer or roasting it the old fashioned way, some fire-safety tips can make it a happier holiday.

"Cooking fires are probably one of the leading causes of fires, especially around the holidays," Athens Fire Marshal Ronny Denton said. "When you talk about frying the turkey, you do it outside, away from the house. You put water in the pot and put the turkey in the water to see the level of grease you're going to need. If you put the turkey in the post with too much grease, the grease can boil over."

According to Property Casualty 360, Texas led the nation last year in turkey fryer-related fire insurance claims, with 19. According the the site, most fryers do not have thermostat controls. If you don't watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.

"Things are going to be busy," Denton said. "You should be aware not only of fire safety but also of injury. You may have a lot of people in your house and a lot of kids. You want to keep the cooking area a kid-free-zone."

Denton said Athens firefighters haven't been called to a kitchen fire for a few months. But he remembers some cooking mishaps.

"We had a kitchen fire one time where she turned the burner off but didn't remove the grease from the burner itself when she went outside," Denton said. "What you do is remove the pan from that hot burner and move it to a cooler spot."

The Home Safety Council has some tips to avoid fires and burns while cooking:

--Always stay in the kitchen while cooking on the range, especially when frying food.

--Keep items that can burn such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags and curtains at least three feet away from the range top.

--Keep grease from building up on the range top, toaster oven and in the oven.

--Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts. Loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire. If clothes do catch fire, "Stop, Drop, Roll and Cool" by dropping immediately to the ground, crossing hands over your chest and rolling over and over or back and forth to put out the flames. Cool the burned area with cool water and seek medical attention for burns.

--Always turn pot handles toward the back of the range to prevent small children from reaching and pulling down hot pans.

--Keep pans, hot beverages and trays that have just come out of the oven away from the edge of counters so that children are not able to reach them.

--Hot liquid and food burns often occur when children pull hanging tablecloths or place mats. Use table cloths and decorations with care.

--Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns. Always test microwaved food for heat before giving it to children.

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