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Enjoy A Deep Fried Turkey Safely With These Tips

Follow these tips to ensure your Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t end in a homeowners insurance claim.

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, it is the perfect time to start defrosting your turkey to get it ready for your Thanksgiving dinner. If you are planning on deep-frying your turkey this year, it is important to make sure that you take the time to properly prepare. Keep these turkey-frying Thanksgiving safety tips in mind to ensure your holiday doesn’t end with a house fire:

  • Head outside – you should never fry a turkey inside, including in your garage or on a deck. Place your fryer on a flat surface outside at least 10 feet away from your house and all other structures on your property. Also, take the time to consider any other flammable materials on your property, such as low hanging trees or decorations.
  • Keep an eye on it – you should watch your turkey at all times. It only takes a second for a disaster to strike. Keep all kids and pets at least three feet away from the fryer while it is on and for hours afterward. The oil can stay dangerously hot for many hours.
  • Completely thaw the turkey – if you have been keeping your turkey in your freezer, you may want to take it out. For every 5 pounds, you should thaw your turkey for 24 hours. A partially frozen turkey can cause a fire and explosion as soon as it touches the oil.
  • Invest in a fire extinguisher – keep a fire extinguisher nearby the whole time that you are frying your turkey. Oh, and never use water to try and put out a grease fire since it will only cause the fire to spread more!

Before you start any cooking this Thanksgiving, look over all of your insurance policies to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage. Contact Unisource Insurance Associates in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin for all of your insurance needs.