Turkey Fryer Guidelines

Turkey Fryer Fire

The National Fire Protection Association reports an average of five deaths, 60 injuries, and more than $15 million in property damage each year from grease and cooking fires, and Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year for home cooking fires.

More than one-third of fires involving a fryer start in a garage or patio.

If you are using a turkey fryer, here are some guidelines to keep you and your family safe this holiday season:

  • Cook outdoors at a safe distance from any buildings or trees.
  • Keep the fryer off any wooden structures, such as a deck or patio.
  • Avoid a hot oil spill by first filling the pot with cold oil and then lowering the thawed turkey into the pot to determine how much oil you’re going to need.
  • Shut off the fuel source or flame when adding the turkey to the hot oil to prevent a dangerous flare-up if oil does spill over the rim.
  • Make sure your turkey is properly thawed and patted dry before lowering it slowly into the pot.
  • Never leave a hot turkey fryer unattended.
  • Keep the fryer away from children.
  • Do not use ice or water to cool down oil or extinguish an oil fire.
  • Keep an approved fire extinguisher nearby.

Earthquake Awareness

Emergency PreparednessWe all need to remember that the St. Louis Area and areas south and east of St. Louis are in what is considered from Moderate to Very High earthquake hazard zones.

While the movement of the ground is seldom the actual cause of injuries and death. Most casualties result from partial building collapse or falling objects and debris and most of these conditions can be prevented.

Before the Earthquake

Below are some of the things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of an earthquake. A lot of these suggestions can be used for any disaster

Build an emergency kit that will last at least 3 days:

  • Water-one gallon per person per day
  • Non-perishable food with manual can opener
  • Flashlight, weather radio, am/fm radio with extra batteries for each
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags for storage and personal sanitation. Plastic sheeting and duct tape for shelters
  • Wrench and pliers
  • Clothes
  • Pet needs
  • First Aid kits
  • Important family papers, phone numbers, email addresses, other social media contact information and unique family needs like prescription and medications, eyeglasses, formula and diapers for infants

Build two kits, one that can stay at your home and another if you need to get away from the area.  We in the fire service call them “GO BAGS”

Have a family communication plan:

Each family member calls, emails, tweets, etc. the same relative or friend that is out of town.

What else can you do?

  • Place large and heavy items and breakable items on lower shelves
  • Keep flammables, weed killers and pesticides products low in cabinets behind closed and locked doors
  • Fasten heavy objects and shelves to walls
  • Know how to turn off gas at the meter and electric at the panel box

If You Have To Leave Your Home

  • Leave a note in clear view of where you are heading
  • Call the out of town contact and tell them where you are heading
  • Try to turn off gas, electric and water
  • Bring your emergency kit
  • Wear sturdy shoes
  • Stay away from downed power lines
  • Call the out of town contact when you get to where you are staying and safe

All of these suggestions can be used any time you are forced to leave your home because of thunderstorm, tornado, flood, snow, ice

For More Information: Fema.gov or ready.gov

Important Message about Smoke Detectors

The week of May 6-12, 2018 there were 35 fatalities in residential fire in the United States.  Six of them were children.  YTD, 1,173 people have perished. Florissant Valley Fire Chief Scott Seppelt has this important message about factors that will save lives.