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 DON'T GET BURNED BY TURKEY
FRYERS THIS THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is not a holiday people associate with burn injuries, apart from the minor burns suffered while wrestling a Butterball out of the oven and onto a carving platter. The delicious deep fried turkey, a longtime food favorite in the southern United States, has quickly grown in popularity throughout the United States. While some people rave about this tasty creation, safety experts are concerned that backyard chefs may be sacrificing safety for good taste.
Chain-Younger would like families to be aware of the significant hazards that surround the use of turkey fryers. There have been recalls on some of these units and it is suggested that owners check the Consumer Products Safety Commission web site for details: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html One Kern County family knows too well the dangers associated with the use of a turkey fryer. Last Thanksgiving, a local man received substantial third degree burns all over his body resulting in permanent scarring and life altering physical limitations as a result of a fire from a turkey fryer.
Here are some reasons why a deep fryer is so dangerous:
- Many units tip over easily, spilling the hot oil.
- If the cooking pot is overfilled, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the pot. Oil may then hit the burner causing a fire to engulf the entire unit and any person or thing nearby.
- Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can also cause a spillover effect resulting in a fire.
- With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
- The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.
Deep fried turkeys are delicious and offer a tasty alternative to your traditional Thanksgiving dinner. If you use a turkey fryer, here are some important tips for safer use:
- NEVER leave the fryer unattended.
- ALWAYS use the fryer outdoors.
- NEVER use the fryer on wooden decks or in a garage.
- KEEP fryers away from combustible materials.
- ALWAYS place fryers on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
- NEVER overfill the fryer.
- ALWAYS follow the fryer manufacturer's recommendations for use.
- NEVER let children or pets near the fryer during or even after use.
- NEVER heat oil above the recommended temperature.
- ALWAYS use a thermometer to gauge food temperature.
- ALWAYS use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- ALWAYS make sure the turkey is completely thawed when placed in the fryer. Oil and water don't mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or an explosion hazard.
- NEVER move the fryer once it is in operation.
- ALWAYS make sure the oil is completely cooled before removing it from the fryer as it can stay hot hours after use.
- ALWAYS keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.
- NEVER use water to extinguish a grease fire.
- ALWAYS wear shoes and pants so that there is no bare skin that can be burned from oil spatter.
- REMEMBER to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.
The Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. has also released information concerning the hazards posed by turkey fryers. Underwriters Laboratories provides video footage/still images of turkey fryers under test. You can view a video on their web site at: http://www.ul.com/consumers/turkeys.html
The best defense against holiday deep fryer burn injuries is to follow the safety precautions listed above. If you simply must have a deep fried turkey, take the time to read your fryer manufacturer's recommendations for safe use. NEVER, NEVER allow children or pets near the fryer during or after use until the oil is safely cooled.
David Cohn, Managing Partner
HOT TOPICS
Tule Fog is Coming
When winter arrives in the San Joaquin Valley, so does Tule fog. The following are driving safety tips for safely maneuvering through the fog.
- Drive with lights on LOW beam. High beams will reflect off the fog, creating a "white wall" effect.
- Reduce your speed. Watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding.
- Be patient! Do not pass lines of traffic.
- Avoid crossing traffic lanes unless absolutely necessary.
- Travel with the driver's window partially open so that you can listen for traffic you cannot see.
- Use wipers and defroster as necessary for maximum vision.
- Watch for CHP pace cars to guide you.
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not stop of any freeway or other heavily traveled road.
- If your car is disabled or you cannot continue, pull well onto the shoulder and turn off lights. Move away from your vehicle.
- Consider postponing your trip until the fog lifts.
Before leaving home, check on road condition with CalTrans at 1-800-427-7623 or the CalTrans website at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/
GROUP LAW
Over 35 years ago, Chain-Younger pioneered Group Law Service to provide quality legal help for working people. Members of Group Law Service, and their immediate family, are entitled to free initial consultations, free notarized signatures (limit 3 per day) and reduced legal fees on most cases. We represent approximately 180,000 group members. If you would like to become a member of Group Law Service, click here.
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