State Farm Insurance has released its data regarding grease and cooking fires and has determined that they occur more frequently on Thanksgiving day than on any other single day of the year.
In fact, according to their information, the insurance claims related to grease and cooking fires on Thanksgiving are double any other day’s average for the month.
As the popularity of turkey frying continues to grow, so does the risk of injuries and fires relating to fryers. Every year, the U.S. fire departments must respond to over one thousand different fires connected to the use of a deep fryer.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, every year there is more than $15 million in property damage caused by the use of deep fryers, and that splattered oils from the appliances can lead to life threatening injuries to a child or serious burns on an adult.
The data from State Farm also identified the top ten states for fire claims related to grease or cooking on Thanksgiving day. From 2005 through 2010, the average number of fires on that day are:
• 12 in Louisiana
• 13 in Indiana
• 14 in Minnesota
• 14 in Florida
• 15 in Michigan
• 17 in Pennsylvania
• 17 in New York
• 21 in Ohio
• 24 in Illinois
• 36 in Texas
The majority of deep fryer fires can be prevented. The key is to recognize the most common turkey fryer mistakes before they are made so that the risk of a burn or a fire is decreased.
