Miami-Dade Fire Rescue joined Broward Sherriff’s Fire Rescue to host a demonstration on how to safely deep fry a turkey this Thanksgiving holiday.

The event was held on Monday November 23, at the Broward Fire AcaPropane.

The use of turkey fryers for Thanksgiving turkey were a focus at the event. Turkey fryers are often an accessible and inexpensive option for Thanksgiving, but according to the National Fire Protection Association, they are very unsafe.

Some of the dangers of using a turkey fryer include having the turkey fryer tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area; having an overfilled cooking pot that can cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in; and putting in a partially frozen turkey in the pot, causing cooking oil to splatter. Also, without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire.

According to U.S. Fire Administration, even a small amount of cooking oil spilling on a hot burner can lead to a large fire.

Since the use of turkey-fryers often times can lead to very painful burns, other injuries, and damage of property; it is important to consider alternatives.

The National Fire Protection Association discourages the use of oil-containing turkey fryers except by properly trained professionals, who are using professional-level equipment.

Alternatively, oil-less outdoor units are also available and are a safer choice to oil-containing fryers.

NFPA advises that people who want to have a deep-fried turkey, buy it cooked from a grocer, food retailer, or restaurant that prepares them using professional equipment.

The Thanksgiving holiday is the top day for cooking fires to happen. According to a recent report published by U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires occur annually in the U.S. in residential buildings, and the leading cause of these fires is cooking.

If you are looking forward to a deep fried turkey this Thanksgiving, it is important to consider your options with safety in mind.