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Be safe with turkey fryers

| November 15, 2010 8:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - Be safe this holiday season.

Around Thanksgiving, deep fried turkey mishaps have been known to cause fires, the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department said, so cookers should follow safe deep-fry protocol to crisp their birds.

Keep oil levels low so overflow doesn't ignite on the burner, make sure the bird is thawed and 12 pounds or less as partially frozen, bigger birds cause more spillage, and be sure the fryer has thermostat controls to prevent overheating and combustion.

Oils with high smoke points such as peanut, canola and safflower are safer.

To determine how much oil is needed, put the turkey in the basket and place in the pot. Add water until it reaches one or two inches above the turkey. Lift it out, and use a ruler to measure the distance from the water to the top of the fryer. Pour out the water and dry the fryer.

Before frying, pat the turkey dry with paper towels to keep the hot oil from spattering.

Also wood-caused fires typically increase this time of year. Be sure to burn only good, seasoned wood that burns cleaner, without alternative fuels such as garbage and coal. Also, keep your chimney clean.