Happy Thanksgiving Central Louisiana

11/25/2015 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is a day to enjoy football, food, friends and family.  Most importantly it is a day for us to give thanks for the people and blessings that fill our lives.  While Thanksgiving traditions vary between families, the turkey is the centerpiece of each and every home during the holiday.

With that in mind, if you decide to deep-fry your turkey, keep your family and house safe this Thanksgiving with these safe cooking tips.

-Always use a turkey fryer outside, away from buildings or other flammable materials

-Never use it on wooden decks or in garages

-Make sure the fryer is on flat ground before using to reduce the chance of tipping

-Never leave the fryer alone.  Most units lack thermostats, meaning an unwatched fryer will continue to heat until it bursts into flames

-Keep children and pets away from the fryer, even after you're done cooking, since the oil can remain hot for hours

-Don't overfill the fryer

-Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles.  It is also recommended to wear safety goggles to avoid splatter

-Only cook a completely thawed turkey and be careful with marinades.  Oil and water don't mix, water could make the oil spill over, creating a fire or explosion

-If a fire does start, never use water to extinguish it.  If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. 

-If the fire grows, immediately call 9-1-1