EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction Division is urging residents to exercise caution when frying turkeys this holiday season.
Camila Rodriguez, a representative from the division, emphasized the importance of safety measures during a demonstration at the department’s training academy.
“We want to make sure that you know outside your house you always want to be about 10 feet away from the turkey when you’re frying it,” Rodriguez said. She advised ensuring the turkey is completely dry and defrosted before frying and warned against overfilling the fryer with oil.
Rodriguez highlighted the potential for severe injuries, including third-degree burns, if safety precautions are not followed. “If you’re not prepared and you’ve never done it before, we want to make sure that you do keep a safe distance of 10 feet,” she said. In the event of a fire, Rodriguez advised using an ABC fire extinguisher and calling 911 immediately.
The demonstration underscored the dangers of frying a turkey, particularly when using a frozen bird.
“Doing so can obviously cause what you saw behind you,” Rodriguez noted, referring to the fireball created during the demonstration. She stressed the importance of reading instructions and being patient, saying, “Make sure you all stay safe and you make sure you do it correctly each and every single time.”
The fire department recommends keeping children at a safe distance, never leaving the fryer unattended, and ensuring the fryer is placed in an open space away from grass, artificial surfaces, or any overhead structures.
Fire department warns of turkey frying dangers ahead of holidays (credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
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