The 3 Best Turkey Fryer Fire Videos

Last year you may have been introduced to William Shatner's turkey fryer fire video about how to deep-fry a turkey without getting burned.

The video goes through some basic safety precautions and a few "don'ts" to make sure frying enthusiasts stay safe on Thanksgiving. But it's not the only video out there for people looking to enjoy some deep-fried Thanksgiving fare and still avoid a visit from the fire department.

If you're in that group, or if you just like to see turkeys go up in flames, here are a few turkey fryer fire videos -- with some safety tips on the side:

• The original, non-Shatner State Farm video. Before teaming up with the "Star Trek" actor, State Farm made a shorter video to illustrate proper frying safety. The blaze is still impressive, and there are some valuable lessons in the video. For example, if you're frying your turkey this Thanksgiving, make sure to thaw it properly, never fry in the garage, and don't use ice to cool down the oil after you're done frying. In fact, keep water away from the hot oil as much as possible.



• Alton Brown's turkey derrick. Trust the host of Food Network's "Good Eats" to come up with a fun and sort of nerdy way to stay safe while deep frying a turkey. Even if you aren't going to be building a turkey-lowering contraption, the video still has helpful tips. Before you drop the turkey into oil, keep the heat low to prevent boiling over, and only turn it up when the turkey is submerged. The oil can still splatter, so stand back while lowering the bird and make sure to lower it slowly. Most important: Never walk away when deep frying a turkey. Keep an eye on it and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.



• Consumer Warning Network's turkey fire video. Despite all the warnings about the dangers of deep frying a turkey, many people injure themselves and their property every year by frying unsafely. This video collects a bunch of those mishaps so you can clearly see what not to do. These clips illustrate lessons such as: Don't overfill the pot, make sure to keep the fryer on a flat surface to prevent tip-overs, and don't fry on a flammable surface.

Here's to a delicious crispy turkey, and minimal burns, this Thanksgiving.

Related Resources:

• Deep Fried Turkey: How Not to Burn Your House Down (FindLaw's Common Law)
• Deep Fry Turkey Safety Tips (FindLaw's Chicago Personal Injury Law Blog)
• Holiday Driving: Prevent A Holiday DUI (FindLaw's Injured)