One of the new holiday traditions for many families during Thanksgiving is to deep fry a turkey. Deep frying a turkey is quick, adds flavor and is a welcome change from the traditional method of cooking.

Deep frying a turkey is a cooking method that creates its own dangers and considerations however, and should be done with care and forethought.

The Kent Regional Fire Authority offers the following safety tips before you begin.

• Ensure that you have a safe location to cook. Never deep fry a turkey indoors, under an overhang such as a balcony, or on a combustible surface such as a wood deck. A grassy area, if available, often works best.
• Warn children to stay away from the cooking area and restrain or lock up pets. Never leave the cooking turkey unattended.
• Thaw and dry the turkey ahead of time. A wet or frozen turkey will cause popping and splattering of oil as the water is released into the hot oil.
• Do not over fill the cooking container. Ensure that you use the proper amount of oil by placing the uncooked turkey in the container and filling it with water. Measure the water line in the container once you remove the turkey and use that as a guide to how much oil is necessary.
• Ensure that the propane tank is full and has no rust near the threaded fitting or the shut-off valve.
• Heat the oil slowly and only heat it to the recommended temperature.
• Insert a hook into the turkey ahead of time to make it easier and safer to handle once near the hot oil.
• Have a fire extinguisher and the cooking container lid handy. If the oil catches fire, put on an oven mitt and cover the cooking container with the lid to smother the fire. Shut off the burner and allow the container to cool down.
• Be careful using a fire extinguisher. Standing too close to the container while discharging the fire extinguisher can cause oil to be splattered on everything nearby, spreading the fire and potentially causing burns.
• NEVER attempt to put out an oil fire using water.

Several other tips will also help ensure that you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season.

• Create a kid-free zone in the kitchen where cooking or slicing is taking place.
• Use holiday candles safely.
• Never drink and drive. Thanksgiving is one of the highest alcohol consumption days of the year.
• Drive safely and wear your seat belts.
• Leave for your holiday destination early to give yourself plenty of time to arrive. Check your local news stations for traffic alerts.
• Be patient with others while on the road. Report unsafe driving, aggressive drivers, and possible drunk driving by calling 9-1-1.