Fire Department Demonstrates Safe Turkey Frying

Winston-Salem firefighters showed residents what can go wrong when a frozen turkey hits hot oil during a safety demonstration at Fire Station 13.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Cooking

Screen-print poster illustration of a single outdoor propane turkey fryer on a concrete pad in a quiet autumn yard, bare trees behind it. — Winston-Salem firefighters demonstrated at Fire Station 13 on Thursday how a frozen turkey dropped into hot oil can send flames shooting from a deep fryer, ahead of Thanksgiving. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you think most people take enough safety precautions when frying a Thanksgiving turkey?

The Winston-Salem Fire Department held a turkey-frying demonstration at Fire Station 13 on Bethel Methodist Church Road this morning. Firefighters placed a frozen turkey into a deep fryer, causing flames to shoot out and around the appliance to show the dangers.

Why it matters

Frying a turkey is a common holiday practice, and the demonstration aims to reduce fire risk for Winston-Salem households during meal preparation. Thanksgiving is 20 days away, a period when residents are likely to fry turkeys outdoors.

Fire officials recommend keeping turkey fryers at least 10 feet from any building. Water and oil mixing can cause a fire, so the turkey must be completely dry before frying.

The players

Winston-Salem Fire Department

The municipal fire agency serving the city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, responsible for fire prevention education and emergency response.

The details

Firefighters placed a frozen turkey into a deep fryer to show what not to do, and fire officials advised frying the bird outside while keeping it dry. If a turkey or fryer catches fire and an extinguisher does not control it, residents should clear out and call 911.

November 6, 2026: Winston-Salem Fire Department holds turkey-frying demonstration at Fire Station 13.
November 26, 2026: Thanksgiving holiday, 20 days after the demonstration.

Holiday Cooking Safety

Outdoor turkey frying has long been associated with grease fires and burn injuries during the Thanksgiving season, and fire departments routinely use live demonstrations to reinforce distance, dryness and oil-handling rules. This Winston-Salem event follows that established public education approach.

Winston-Salem residents planning to fry a turkey should keep the fryer outdoors at least 10 feet from any building and make sure the bird is completely dry. Anyone whose fryer catches fire and cannot be extinguished should leave the area and call 911.

The takeaway

Thawing the turkey fully and drying it before frying are the simplest steps to prevent a dangerous flare-up. Keeping the fryer well away from structures reduces the risk to your home during the holiday.