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Man using turkey fryer fries himself

Thanksgiving has three times as many cooking fires than an average day, but even a turkey fryer can be safe with proper precautions, a U.S. physician says. (UPI Photo/Ian Halperin)
Thanksgiving has three times as many cooking fires than an average day, but even a turkey fryer can be safe with proper precautions, a U.S. physician says. (UPI Photo/Ian Halperin) | License Photo

MAYWOOD, Ill., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Thanksgiving has three times as many cooking fires than an average day, but even a turkey fryer can be safe with proper precautions, a U.S. physician says.

Dr. Thomas Esposito of the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine said injuries from turkey fryers are rare, but when they occur they can be devastating.

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Serafino Alfe was deep-frying turkeys for an annual fundraiser dinner recently and ended up at the Loyola Burn unit with third-degree burns after tripping on a piece of cardboard under the fryer.

"Thirty quarts of hot oil poured over my leg and I basically fried myself," Alfe said. "We were using the older fryers that do not have a secure lid and the gallons of hot oil just splattered out everywhere."

Alfe said he will undergo surgery on his injured leg on the day before Thanksgiving.

To prevent a turkey fryer fire, Esposito advised to:

-- Never use a fryer if impaired with alcohol or drugs.

-- Use newer fryers with sealed lids to prevent oil spills.

-- Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.

-- Place the fryer in an open area away from all walls, fences or other structures and never under a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, deck or other structure that can catch fire.

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-- Slowly raise and lower the turkey to reduce hot-oil splatter and to avoid burns.

-- Never cook in short sleeves, shorts or bare feet. Wear goggles or glasses.

-- Turn off the fryer if the oil begins to smoke.

-- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Water can cause oil to spill over, creating a fire or explosion.

-- Don't overfill fryer with oil.

-- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.

-- Do not use a water hose to douse a turkey fryer fire.

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