Mount Prospect man severely burns leg in turkey fryer

A Mount Prospect resident will be spending the day before Thanksgiving in the hospital after suffering third-degree burns during a deep-frying accident.

“I tripped and fell right into the deep fryer,” said Serafino Alfe, who was frying the turkeys for an annual fundraiser. “Thirty quarts of hot oil poured over my leg, and I basically fried myself.”

Loyola University Medical Center, where Alfe is being treated for the burns to his leg, hopes the story of Alfe's misstep will resonate to those thinking about using a deep fryer come Thursday.

Although Alfe said he had used a deep fryer for many years, he said he was using older fryers that did not have a secure lid “and the gallons of hot oil just splattered out everywhere.”

“We put the deep fryers on cardboard, and I caught my shoe on the edge and just lost my balance,” he said.

More than 141 serious fires and hot-oil burns have been reported from the use of turkey fryers over the past 10 years, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“If a turkey fryer is used the way it's supposed to be used by people who are not impaired by alcohol or drugs, I think they're fine,” said Dr. Thomas Esposito of Loyola University Chicago.

Some tips for those planning on using a turkey fryer:

Ÿ Use newer fryers with sealed lids to prevent oil spills.

Ÿ Keep the fryer in full view while the burner is on.

Ÿ Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.

Ÿ Place the fryer in an open area away from all walls, fences or structures.

Ÿ Never use a fryer in, on or under a garage or structure than can catch fire.

Ÿ Slowly raise and lower the turkey to reduce hot-oil splatter.

Ÿ Cover all bare skin when dunking or removing the turkey.

Ÿ Protect your eyes with goggles or glasses.

Ÿ Immediately turn off the fryer if the oil begins to smoke.

Ÿ Make sure the turkey is completely thawed, oil and water don't mix and can cause oil to spill or even cause an explosion.

Ÿ Don't over-fill the fryer with oil.

Ÿ Keep a fire extinguisher appropriate for oil fires close and know how to use it.

Ÿ Do not use a hose to douse a fryer fire.