The Sparks Fire Department warns that deep frying an underprepared turkey this Thanksgiving could be very dangerous.

Dangers of frying a turkey

• A small about of cooking oil coming into contact with the burner can cause a bigger fire
• An overfilled cooking pot or partially frozen turkey will cause oil to spill when the turkey is placed in the fryer
• The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can be dangerously hot creating severe burns
• Fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil all over the place
• Deep fryers without thermostat controls have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion

Turkey frying safety tips

• Don't overfill the fryer
• Fryers should always be used outdoors
• Make sure the fryer is a safe distance away from buildings and on a level surface
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before placed in the fryer
• Never leave the fryer unattended to
• Never let children or pets near the fryer
• Never use the fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover or in a garage
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts

If a fryer catches fire, call 911 immediately.