SPRINGFIELD -- Effingham County Fire Rescue recently provided a demonstration on the dangers of home turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil. The live fire demonstration highlighted three common errors found with the use of these fryers:

1)      Improperly thawed turkeys can cause the oil  to react with the water and ice crystals.

2)      Filling the pot with too much oil, which expands after heating, will overflow once the turkey is added.

3)      Water cannot be used to combat grease and oil fires.

We would encourage everyone to use oil-less fryers, bake their turkeys, or purchase a fried turkey from a professional establishment that can do this safely. We also want to remind everyone have a fire extinguisher at home and know how to properly use it.

To Use an Extinguisher Remember: PASS

Pull – pull out the pin

Aim – aim at the base of the fire

Squeeze – squeeze the handle

Sweep – sweep back and forth until the fire is out