Whether you bake or fry your turkey, safety is always important. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for home cooking fires, with U.S. Fire Departments responding to an estimated 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day 2015. 

And local fire departments say burning a bird is bad, but a fryer fire is worse. 

Here are some safety tips when frying a turkey:

Turkey Frying Prep:

  • Always use a thawed bird
  • Place turkey in a pot, then fill pot with water. Remove turkey the mark the pot. That will be the fill line for the oil. Pour water out and dry pot completely. Add oil to the premarked spot. 
  • Never overfill the pot
  • Pat the turkey dry to remove all water before putting the turkey in the oil
  • Have a fire extinguisher near the fryer at all times
  • Never leave fryer unattended
Turkey Frying:
  • Never use fryer in, on, or under a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, deck, or other structure that can catch fire
  • Keep kids and pets away from cooking area
  • Protect yourself--wear long sleeves, pants, and close toed shoes
  • Lower turkey gently into the oil using the tools included in setup
  • Never leave fryer unattended
Space Heaters:
  • Plug directly into wall, never an extension cord or power strip
  • Give it space. Place at least 3 feet from everything in room, including walls and furniture
  • Only use models that have automatic shut off feature
Smoke Alarms:
  • Have one in each bedroom, immediately outside sleeping areas, in living space, and on every level of home
  • Test monthly and replace batteries twice a year
  • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years
Fire Extinguisher:
  • Choose one that the whole family can use--not too heavy
  • PASS - pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, sweep back and forth