By Melanie Davis

Deep-fried turkey has evolved as the staple of many Southern Thanksgivings.

A recent national television commercial featuring a turkey fryer humorously shows how, due to poor cellular service, the message to thaw the turkey isn’t received. The result may be humorous on television, but can be deadly in real life.

Turkey fryers can cause both home fires and severe burns if used improperly. The Watauga County Fire Marshal’s Office has released a statement regarding the dangers of turkey fryers and safety tips.

Dangers with a fryer unit include instability, lack of thermostat and possible overfill. When a fryer is overfilled, the excess can spill over when the turkey is put in. If spilled oil reaches the burner, it can ignite, literally, in a flash.

When shopping for a fryer, stability should be taken into account. Many units tip very easily, spilling hot oil and causing severe burns or fire.

A thermostat is necessary to monitor the temperature of the oil. A unit without a thermostat can heat oil to the point of combustion. If the oil begins to smoke, the heat should be immediately reduced.

And, a turkey should be fully thawed. Oil and water do not mix and a frozen, or partially frozen, turkey can cause hot oil to splatter or overflow. The fire marshal’s office recommends wearing safety glasses to protect your eyes while placing or removing the turkey from the fryer.

The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing, allowing 24 hours for every five pounds of meat.

Children and pets should be kept away from the fryer at all times. The oil can remain dangerously hot for several hours after the fryer is turned off.

To reduce the hazards associated with a turkey fryer, the fire marshal recommends fryers be placed on flat surfaces a safe distance from a house or outbuildings. The fryer should never be placed on a wooden deck or in a garage.

It is best to turn the burner off while placing or removing the turkey, in case the oil does splatter.

An all-purpose fire extinguisher should be kept near the fryer. Never use water to attempt to extinguish a grease fire.

Paul Buchannon of the fire marshal’s office says, if in doubt, call 911 immediately.

“As a firefighter, I can assure homeowners we would rather be called out and not needed, than to arrive after a structure is fully involved,” he said.