There are some diners on Thanksgiving Day who prefer their turkey fried; but the Knoxville Fire Department warns these home chefs to use their turkey fryer carefully, to avoid fire or injury.

Lt. Jac Agan from the department tells KNIA/KRLS News anyone frying their turkey should carefully follow the directions; first and foremost, the fryer should not be used inside, not even in a garage.

“Do it outside; that’s an outside chore to do. Make sure you’re ten to fifteen feet away from any structure; also, make sure it’s completely thawed — hot oil and water do not react very well,” Agan says. “It’ll flame up and catch anything on fire that’s around.”

Agan says you shouldn’t overfill the vat with oil, and you should have a fire extinguisher nearby just in case. Do not use water; this would be a grease fire, and water will only spread the flames around.

And you should make sure to protect yourself from the hot oil, whether it flares up or not; avoid wearing baggy clothing, and be careful when in the vicinity of the fryer.