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 Don't Get Burned By Turkey Fryers This Holiday Season
Thanksgiving and Christmas are not holidays people associate with burn injuries, apart from the minor burns suffered while wrestling a Butterball out of the oven and onto a carving platter. Deep fried turkey, a longtime favorite in the southern United States, has quickly grown in popularity. While some people rave about this tasty creation, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.'s (UL) safety experts point out that chefs may be sacrificing safety for good taste.
"We're worried by the increasing reports of fires related with turkey fryer use," says John Drengenberg, UL consumer affairs manager. "Based on our test findings, the fryers used to produce those great-tasting birds are not worth the risks. And, as a result of these tests, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL Mark." (To see still photos or view a UL video regarding turkey fryers go to: http://www.ul.com/consumers/turkeys.html).
Two Kern County families represented by our law firm know all too well the dangers associated with the use of turkey fryers http://www.chainyounger.com/news_press.html. Just before Thanksgiving Day of 2002, and Christmas Day of 2003, two local men received substantial third degree burns that produced permanent scarring and life altering physical limitations. Both accidents resulted from turkey fryer fires. One of the men is even a firefighter!
Here are some reasons why a deep fryer is so dangerous:
- With no thermostat controls, the turkey fryers have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
- Partially frozen and/or wet turkeys can produce excessive hot oil spatter when placed in the pot.
- 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.
- The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.
Our recommendation is to leave the deep-fried turkey to the experts, like Mr. Tibb's Ribs, a Bakersfield restaurant specializing in deep fried meats. No homemade gastronomical delight is worth the safety risk to you or your family.
On behalf of all our partners and staff, best wishes for a safe and joyous holiday time!
David Cohn, Managing Partner
HOT TOPIC
Vioxx
Recently, Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib) from the U.S. and worldwide market due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart attack and stroke) for patients taking Vioxx. Vioxx is a prescription COX-2 selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was approved by FDA in May 1999 for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, for the management of acute pain in adults, and for the treatment of menstrual symptoms. Vioxx was later approved for the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children.
Vioxx was found in a company-sponsored trial to double patients' risk of heart attacks and strokes after 18 months of use. According to a recent FDA report, the painkiller may have contributed to 27,785 heart attacks and deaths from 1999 through 2003 because of its effects on the cardiovascular system.
If you are currently taking Vioxx you should contact your physician to discuss discontinuing use of Vioxx and starting alternative treatments. Any decision you take to further treat your symptoms should be made in consultation with your physician based on an assessment of your specific treatment needs. Continued use of Vioxx may cause an increased risk in cardiovascular events such as heart attack and strokes during chronic use.
If you or anyone you know has taken Vioxx and are concerned about its withdrawal from the marketplace or its potential side effects, there are Internet websites which have collected current Vioxx information.
If you or any family members have been prescribed Vioxx and have experienced any pulmonary or cardiovascular problems please contact Chain-Younger at 1-800-322-4529 or fill out our convenient on-line questionnaire @ www.chainyounger.com
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