Safety First

  • Published
  • By 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Three members of Team Whiteman received burn injuries while cooking at the
Airman Family and Readiness center April 9.

The members were boiling and frying wontons for a potluck when they took wontons that were in boiling water and dropped
them into boiling oil. The water from the previously boiling wontons being
dropped into the hot oil caused a flare up.

"One should always consider the risk factors involved with any given event,"
said Tech. Sgt. Chad Parana, 509th Bomb Wing Safety Office. "There are many
different possible risk factors involved with cooking particularly when
frying."

Here are some things to keep in mind frying whether it be with a commercial or home unit, he added.

  • Use caution when working around hot oil.
  • Get trained in the proper use and maintenance of your deep fryer.
  • Observe all safety procedures and wear all protective equipment provided for your use while preparing hot items.
  • Use gloves and scrapers and other cleaning tools with handles.
  • Use the correct grease level and cooking temperatures for your deep fryer.
  • Keep stove surfaces clean to prevent grease flare-ups.
  • Avoid reaching over or climbing on top of fryers and other hot surfaces. Clean vents when oil is cool.
  • Keep floor surfaces clean and dry to prevent slipping or falling onto hot surfaces. Do not work closely to hot fryers when the floor is wet. 
  • Do not spill water or ice into oil. Do not store drinks by deep fryers. They could be easily bumped into the hot oil and cause a flare-up.
  • Do not overfill or pour excessive amounts of frozen fries into deep fryer at one time. Overfilling causes excessive splashing and bubbling over of hot oil. 
  • Do not pour excess ice from fry packages into the fryer.
  • Do not overheat the oil; use only manufacturer's recommended cooking temperatures.
  • Do not move or strain hot oil containers; wait until the oil is cool!
  • Do not store oil on floors by grill area. Someone could slip and fall into the oil. 
  • Extinguish hot oil/grease fires by using a class K fire extinguisher.
For more safety information call the 509th Bomb Wing Safety Office at
687-7233.