NAS Patuxent River Encourages Turkey Fryer Safety

As the holiday season approaches, NAS Patuxent River and Naval District Washington Fire and EMS are offering important information about the use of turkey fryers.

 

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips

  • Make sure the fryer is on a smooth, level, non-combustible surface.
  • Do not move the fryer once it is in use.
  • Make sure the fryer is at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible surface.
  • Avoid overfilling the cooking pot.
  • Ensure the turkey is completely thawed prior to cooking.

 

From the National Fire Protection Agency (nfpa.org)

  • The NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers.
  • Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than three times the daily average for such incidents.
  • Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
  • Cooking causes half (49%) of all reported home fires and more than 2/5 (42%) of home fire injuries and is the second leading cause of home fire deaths (20%).

 

From the U.S. Fire Administration

  • Each year, from 2017-2019, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated average of 187,500 cooking fires in residential buildings.
    • 165 deaths
    • 3,325 injuries
    • $444 million in property loss
  • Cooking was, by far, the leading cause of all residential building fires and injuries.

 

Turkey Fryer Demonstratioan Videos

 

NAS Patuxent River Fire Prevention Contacts

  • District Fire Chief: Ryan Gallant – 301-342-3843
  • Assistant Chief of Prevention: Wayde Peaper – 443-624-6791
  • Fire Inspector 113: Ronnie Alvey – 301-757-4678
  • Fire Inspector 213: Robin Jones – 301-757-9571
  • Fire Inspector 313: Lee Girard – 301-757-4686
  • Fire Inspector 413: Ray Currie – 301-342-2534
  • Fire Inspector 513: Mike Fuhrman – 301-342-0929
  • Pax River Fire Prevention Office: 301-757-4685