Special Thanksgiving Edition – Important safety tips if you plan on frying your turkey

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

This advisory message came from has been issued by the Runnemede (N.J.) Fire Department. It’s for those of us who have always craved a fried turkey on this special day.

This is the start of what promises to be a wonderful holiday season. Keep that wine glass half full, rather than half empty. That’s what optimists do. Now, to your turkey frying tips:
Happy Thanksgiving! Please check www.runnemedefire.org for important safety tips if you plan on frying your turkey.

The Dos & Don’ts of Frying a Turkey

1.The first thing you should do is determine how much oil you need to heat up. To do this, place your turkey in the cold pot. Fill the pot with water to cover the turkey allow for it to cover 2 inch above the turkey. Take the turkey out. Mark where the water level is…..this is how much oil you will need. This is an important step because if you do not determine how much oil you need and just fill the pot with oil, heat the oil then place the bird in…..chances are you have too much oil and it will spill over the pot roll down the sides to the open flame and catch on fire.
2.Dry your turkey off completely.
3.Fill pot with oil to the determined level.
4.Heat your oil outside to 350°-375° F.

DON’TS

5.Do not set up Deep Fryer indoors, or under an overhang. Never place close to the house, allow to be about 15 feet away from any structures.
6.Do not leave hot oil unattended.
7.Do not allow children and pets to be around your hot oil.
8.Do not Place hot oil on any surface that is not flat.
9.Do not use olive oil.
10.Do not brine your turkey. Make sure your turkey is completely dry.
11.Do not stuff your turkey.
12.Do not forget to remove giblets in the cavity of your turkey.
13.Do not try to fry a frozen turkey, the turkey should be completely defrosted.