During the Holiday Season, the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department would like to offer some turkey fryer operation safety tips to ensure you and your family have a fun and safe time.

“During Thanksgiving, we see an increase of fires caused by improper turkey frying, so if this is your first time doing it, you want to get with someone who is more so familiar with doing that definitely,” said Fire Safety Education Safety Officer Sgt. Jeremy Webb. “If you have any type of experience with a type of fire catching, definitely call 911 immediately.”

The Fire Department offers these tips for a safe cooking experience:

• Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages at least 10 feet away from your home, and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
• Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
• Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.
• Place the fryer on a level surface and avoid moving it once in use.
• Leave at least 2 feet between the tank and the burner when using a propane-powered fryer.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.
• Never leave fryer unattended.
• Purchase a fryer with temperature controls and watch the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire. If you notice the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off.
• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.
• Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms and keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by.
• Always keep children and pets away from the fryer.

For additional support or questions, you can contact the Fire Safety team at (478) 751-9180