Misused Turkey Fryer Sets Fire to Navy Building

First, the manual said to keep the fryer well away from buildings. In this case, it was about 18" from a wooden wall covered with vinyl siding. Second, the manual said to not use the fryer on wooden decks. The fire broke out on a wooden deck. Third, it said not to use the fryer under eaves or overhangs. It was underneath some wooden stairs.

All fire inspections at the Navy facility were up to date, the equipment worked, and the local crew was fully trained, so the fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes, even before the fire department could arrive.

Although there was serious damage to one corner of the berthing building, no one was injured and the command's mission wasn't affected.

Turkey fryers are very popular but extremely hazardous. Navy fire investigators around the country have seen a rash of serious accidents with turkey fryers. One problem is that the fryers don't have a temperature regulator.

Click on the images below to see some of the damage.

Have you ever eaten deep-fried turkey? Delicious, isn't it? Deep-fried turkey has been around for years. It's even bragged about on cooking shows on the Food Network and other cable channels. But there is a down side to all of this "turkey talk."

Turkey fryers can be extremely dangerous if not used properly. According to Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) safety experts, concerns are running high about backyard chefs sacrificing safety for good taste. Recently, there have been an increasing number of fires related to these turkey fryers. UL has performed tests on these fryers and found that the "great-tasting birds" are not worth the risk. "As a result of these tests, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL mark", said John Drengenberg, UL consumer affairs manager.

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, here are some tips for safer use:

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and other materials that can burn.
• Never use turkeys fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
• Use turkey fryers on a flat surface to help prevent accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you are not careful, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer.
• Do not overfill the fryer. Doing so may cause the oil to catch fire from the burner.
• Lids and handles can become extremely hot. Use well-insulated pot holders or oven mitts when handling any part of the aluminum pot.
• Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes in case of oil spatter.
• Keep an ABC multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
• Follow the manufacturer's directions on proper use of the turkey fryer.

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