Opinion: Deep-fat frying, stains can prompt the holiday blues

“Deep frying a turkey,” the press release says, “can be a hazardous endeavor.”

Numerous Thanksgiving related press releases are sent to newsrooms across America in the weeks leading up to the holiday, most of which at best prompt a smile from editors who likely only glance at the self-promoting prose before tossing it away.

“Be sweet on sweet potatoes,” suggests the American Heart Association. “Sweet potatoes are a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber that can make a tasty side dish or dessert.”

And then there’s this from the — and I’m not kidding here — Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science: “One slip and your favorite dress or shirt may sport that cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie for years to come.”

Oh, the humanity.

But when it comes to holiday cooking, the Allstate Insurance Company’s press release about turkeys and deep-fat fryers really should be taken seriously, says local fire chief Steve Willis.

Yes, the introductory line above may seem a bit humorous, but deep-fat fryers are indeed a danger to life and property, he said.

“The big thing is, if they’re using them as intended, they’re fine,” Willis said Tuesday morning. “But a lot of people will get them fired up good and hot and then leave then unattended. That’s the primary thing.”

The good news is that Mitchell firefighters will be working Thursday, despite the Thanksgiving holiday. Six fire division employees will be on staff, with the remainder spending the holiday on call. Those who will be on the clock will get a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings, Willis said, but they’ll also be spending the day hoping for the best.

Typically, holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are a bit quieter than other days, Willis said. Although he remembers a major Thanksgiving fire in Mitchell back in the 1980s, relatively few incidents occur otherwise.

And as for those darned fires related to deep-fat fryers, it absolutely can happen here in Mitchell. Willis said that at least once in the past five or six years, the local department has responded to a hot oil fire on Thanksgiving.

What a miserable way to usher in the holiday season.

Willis’ suggestion?

“I say use them, but if you’re going to use them, follow the directions,” he said. “It’s kind of like fire pits in the back yard. We can’t say you can’t use them, but have a responsible adult around. Please don’t let your children go out and start them. They need to be managed by a grown-up.”

Among the numerous safety suggestions are these: always use the fryers outside, but never on a wooden deck or in a garage; make sure they’re on a flat surface; avoid overfilling the pot with oil; only cook well-thawed turkeys and be careful with marinades; and keep a fire extinguisher handy. Willis said that if a fire breaks out, try to put the lid back on the pot, but he also urges people to be reasonable with such heroic efforts.

Another Thanksgiving Day problem: People preheat their ovens and forget there may be something stored inside, or folks simply leave cooking food unattended, Willis said.

As Christmas comes, circuits get overloaded, or extension cords are run under carpet.

It all leads to holiday trouble, he said.

“We’re hoping everyone is prepared to have their thinking caps on (Thursday) and all the way through the holidays. Take a minute to clean up after yourself and keep an eye on things,” he said.

As for those other holidayrelated press releases, it’s a bit difficult to take them too seriously, but here goes.

For a cranberry sauce stain, the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science suggests running the fabric under cold water to prevent oxidation, and then washing the garment in the warmest water safe for that particular fabric. Add liquid chlorine bleach or color-safe bleach during the rinse cycle and then air dry.

It’s not quite on the level of a garage fire ignited by a deepfat fryer, but a stained shirt Thursday is something that can be managed, I suppose. Maybe these annual holiday suggestions aren’t too bad after all.

An organization called Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta sent a press release that wonders, “So just how do you avoid that sleepy feeling on Turkey Day?”

A few of the suggestions are to not take in too many carbohydrates; drink water and take breaks while eating; and talk a walk outside after your meal instead of crashing on the couch.

Sage advice, for sure, but words of wisdom that likely will go unheeded by most of us.

And here comes a doozy from the American Heart Association’s Sioux Falls office: “Start small. When it comes to holiday dining, the biggest concern is not just what you eat, but how much of it you are eating. Aim to have small portions of those foods that are high in calories … while filling up on lighter fare such as vegetables and lean turkey.”

Say what?

Well, now that’s just out of the question.

Tags: korrie wenzel, opinion