Eventually it will happen… You, or one of your colleagues, will get the dreaded call that your insured had a fire on Thanksgiving as a result of someone trying to fry a turkey. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 138 incidents in the United States involving turkey fryers between 1998 and 2007, resulting in 36 injuries and more than $7.8 million in property loss. Last year alone, the U.S. Fire Administration (NFPA) reported that nearly 4,300 fires occurred in the U.S. on Thanksgiving causing 15 deaths and almost $27 million in property damage. The NFPA also reports that more cooking-related fires occur on Thanksgiving Day than any other time of the year.

Fire safety experts, including the NFPA, agree that turkey fryers - which combine gallons of boiling oil, open propane gas fire and often unstable frames - more closely resemble flame throwers than cooking vessels. Underwriters Laboratories, a nonprofit group that gives safety certifications for everything from hair dryers to space heaters, has refused to put its UL safety mark on any turkey deep fryer. According to the group, there are no UL listed turkey fryers because the turkey fryers on the market do not have the level of safety features that the organization deems necessary.

To avoid problems while frying a turkey, the Consumer Products Safety Commission offers the following tips:

• Only use them outdoors, away from buildings or materials that can catch fire.
• Allow for at least 2 feet of space between the propane tank and the fryer burner.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer during cooking and for several hours after cooking.
• Never place the fryer on wooden decks or under a garage, carport or breezeway.
• Never leave the fryer unattended; monitor the temperature closely.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the amount of oil to add; do not overfill the fryer.
• Make sure the turkey is thawed and dried before adding to the oil; water and ice crystals can cause the oil to splatter or spill over.
• In case of fire, do not use water. Call 911. While waiting for the fire department, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.