Kitchen fires more likely near holidays

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Whether you go the traditional route and oven bake your turkey or deep fry it, fire officials are remind residents to play it safe in the kitchen this year.

"The turkey frying needs to be done outdoors," inspector with the Lafayette Fire Department Todd Trent said. "It needs to be away from any structure or any wooded fences or that nature."

Inspector Todd Trent with the Lafayette Fire Department said every year, people get burned or damage their property while preparing their Thanksgiving meal.

Todd said one of the most common things that start deep fryer fires is putting too much oil in the fryer.

"A common mistake is over-filling the fryer with oil," Trent said. "The fryer will boil over and the flames then get saturated with the oil and create the fire."

Trent also said if you are going to fry a turkey, make sure the turkey is completely thawed because it will explode.

He also said keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby, because we all know oil and water don't mix.

"Make sure the turkey is completely dry and unfrozen," explained Todd.