Safety first if you deep-fry that turkey

Deep-frying the Thanksgiving turkey has become popular in recent years -- there's just something satisfying about hauling out a giant deep-fryer and having a fully cooked bird in less than an hour.

But commercial deep-fryers, which involve boiling a large pot of flammable oil over a flame, also pose dangers.To prevent accidents this holiday season, the Cary Fire Protection District on Friday gave a demonstration of unsafe fryer use -- it ended in a burst of flames -- and offered safety tips for holiday chefs.Fryer-related accidents are increasingly common, and often serious.A 5-year-old Wheeling boy died in August after he accidentally knocked a fryer over and was burned by oil.Last Thanksgiving, an Ingleside home was severely damaged in a fire apparently caused by a turkey fryer.In recent years, Cary's fire department has responded to two house fires caused by improper use of the fryers.Underwriters Laboratories, a product safety group whose seal of approval can be found on most household appliances, no longer certifies any turkey fryer."There's a lot of responsibility on the part of the cook with these things," Cary Fire Protection District Lt. Andrew Veath said.The biggest danger comes from oil spilling from the fryer. The oil itself, which boils at about 325 degrees Fahrenheit, can cause severe burns. If oil spills on the open flame below the fryer, it can quickly ignite a fast-spreading fire.For anyone who still decides to use a turkey fryer this holiday, safety should be the first concern."These burn injuries are very painful," Veath said. "We just don't want anyone to have to go through that."Safe turkey fryingbull; Use the fryer outdoors, on a level surface, ideally 25 feet from the house. Never use it on wood decks or in garages.bull; Never leave the fryer unattended.bull; Keep kids and pets away -- the oil can remain hot for hours after use.bull; Do not overfill the fryer. You can gauge the amount of oil needed beforehand by putting the thawed turkey in the empty fryer and adding just enough water to cover the turkey while staying below the fryer's edge. Remove the bird and mark the water level.bull; Make sure the turkey is completely thawed, and the turkey and fryer are both dry, before cooking.bull; Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Water will not put out an oil fire -- it will just spread the flames.Source: Cary Fire Department 512485Lt. Andrew Veath, of the Cary Fire Protection District, demonstrates how not to fry a turkey Friday behind Cary Fire Station 2. Among his mistakes, the fryer is overfilled with oil, and the turkey is frozen.George LeClaire | Staff Photographer