Mahaska Health Partnership Encourages Turkey Fryer Safety

Oskaloosa Fire Captain Dave Christenson prepares to attack flames leaping from a second story window.

Oskaloosa Fire Captain Dave Christenson prepares to attack flames leaping from a second story window. (file photo)

MAHASKA COUNTY – Thanksgiving is a holiday for gatherings, great food and fun. Turkey is usually a star feature of the meal, and can be prepared a variety of ways, including frying. Mahaska Health Partnership wants you to spend your holiday with loved ones, instead of emergency responders, by being mindful about turkey fryers.

“When choosing to fry a turkey, make sure you understand how to properly use the equipment ahead of time,” MHP Emergency Physician Dr. Ben Oldson shared. “It is easy to cause fires and burns if you are not prepared.”

The National Turkey Federation recommends picking a bird between eight and ten pounds to avoid oil overflows. Thaw your bird in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds. For example, a ten pound bird would take 48 hours to thaw in the fridge before it was safe to fry. Also, choose oils with high smoke points like peanut, canola and safflower to avoid fires. Peanut oil adds flavor, but check with guests for allergies prior to preparation.

Another tip is to use the fryer outside and a safe distance from any flammable materials. Set your unit on a flat, fire-resistant surface, such as a cement pad. Avoid garages, wooden decks and patios or grassy areas. Many frying units can tip over easily, so have a large, flat surface to cook on. Never leave a fryer unattended and keep kids and pets at a safe distance.

When cooking, make sure to take a few precautionary steps to avoid injury. “Use oven mitts and goggles, especially when putting the turkey in the oil and taking it out, in case of splashes,” Dr. Oldson advised. “Always keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by in case of fires.”

In the event of a burn, immediately assess the severity. “If someone experiences a severe burn, seek immediate medical attention,” Dr. Oldson urged. “Call 911 if the burn penetrates all layers of skin or has a leathery, charred appearance. Immediately remove any constrictive clothing, jewelry or belts as swelling can occur rapidly. Remove any smoldering clothing that is not attached to the burned area and avoid putting ointments or sprays on the wound. Cover it gently with clean, dry gauze or sheet that will not leave lint on the area.”

For minor burns, Dr. Oldson recommends cooling, covering and pain management. “If you experience a small, superficial burn, make sure to run the affected area under cool water until the pain subsides. Do not apply ointments. Cover the area with dry, sterile gauze and treat any pain with over-the-counter medications. Most importantly, be safe and spend the holiday with your friends and family instead of us.”

Should you experience an emergency during the holiday, MHP Emergency Services is staffed 24/7 by specially trained physicians, nurses and paramedics. As a designated Level III Trauma Center, a Trauma Response Team is readily available to handle emergent situations. For more information about MHP Emergency Services and their Level III Trauma designation, visit mahaskahealth.org.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.

Posted by on Nov 24 2014. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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