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Turkey disasters: Seacoast chiefs on how to cook Thanksgiving meal without starting a fire

Staff Report
A firefighter sets up a demonstration to remind the public of the dangers and hazards of using turkey fryers on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021.

Thanksgiving is a time for food and family but unfortunately, with many amateur chefs pushing their skills to the limits, it is also a busy time for firefighters.

Ogunquit Fire Chief Russell Osgood said firefighters once reported to a home where the holiday turkey was being fried on a deck. The cook dropped the turkey into the oil, the oil spilled out of the fryer, and caught fire.

"Instead of enjoying a holiday meal, they were looking for a hotel to stay in," Osgood said.

"It's the oil that can cause problems, especially if it comes into contact with water," Sanford Fire Chief Steven Benotti said.

"Make sure the oil is measured appropriately," he said.

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And do the frying on concrete, added Kennebunk Fire Rescue Chief Jeffrey Rowe. If you put your fryer on grass, have a garden hose nearby.

Rowe also noted that moisture — on, say, a turkey not fully thawed — and oil are a bad mix, certain to cause an eruption from the fryer. To picture it, Rowe said, recall those times you've seen someone add uncooked fries to the sizzling oil at a fast food restaurant.

"It could be just that more violent," Rowe said.

Don't fry a frozen turkey

York Beach Fire Chief Chris Balentine cautioned people who enjoy fried turkey to fully thaw their turkey beforehand. A few years ago, the fire department responded to a call after a frozen turkey had exploded shortly after being submerged into a big pot of boiling vegetable oil. Luckily, no one was harmed because they were cooking the turkey outside, Balentine said.

Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50 percent longer to cook compared to a thawed turkey, USDA said. 

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With a shortage of fresh turkeys available this year, Balentine said he suspects more people will buy frozen. The USDA recommends thawing your turkey in the refrigerator and allowing one day for each four to five pounds of weight. Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days.

If you're not frying your turkey and instead cooking it in an oven and preparing sides on a stove, make sure to put on mitts, use tongs, and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes. Also, turn pan handles away from the front edge of the stove, so that no one passing by can bump them and cause an accident.

"Don't leave much unattended," Rowe said.

For more tips on how to safely fry food, visit: USDA Safety Guidelines

People frying turkeys, especially frozen turkeys, is a top concern for area fire chiefs this Thanksgiving.

How to play it safe with holiday meals: avoiding common mistakes

 A 27-year member of the Portsmouth Fire Department, Todd Germain, now in his third year as chief, can’t recall any dramatic holiday incidents that required a massive response from the department.

“Christmas and Thanksgiving are typically pretty quiet days here, family comes in and out, hangs out with crews before leaving,” he said.

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That said, there’s always the occasional story that pops up about holiday meals or events gone wrong, such as someone leaving the turkey in their oven for too long, causing their home to smoke up.

Germain said holiday hosts should review basic kitchen safety tips, like monitoring unsupervised children in and around the kitchen area and making sure that combustibles haven't been left in the oven when it’s turned on to preheat.

In Rochester, Deputy Fire Chief Adam Hughes offered a few safety reminders.

"It is really no different than cooking any other meals, except that Thanksgiving dinner involves things that take longer to cook, like a turkey," Hughes said. "So, I advise having at least one person stay, if not in the kitchen, close by to be able to watch. Don't run off to do laundry, or decide to run to the store for a forgotten ingredient while the meal is cooking. Pay attention."

Hughes said when people do not pay attention, accidents happen.

"This is a good time to check your smoke and fire alarms," he said. "Make sure they are in good working order. Also, while cooking be sure to keep utensils, like sharp knives out of the reach of small children. It's easy to forget if you are hurrying to go watch the football game."