The Knoxville Fire Department reminds citizens to safely fry their turkeys this Thanksgiving.

According to the United States Fire Administration, turkey fryers should always be on a solid level surface to prevent them from tipping over. Fryers should also always be ten feet away from the home, turkeys should be completely thawed and dried, oven mitts should always be worn around the pot, and children and pets should not go near fryers. Knoxville Fire Chief Cal Wyman says there are additional steps that can be taken to ensure safety when frying a turkey.

“Make sure your oil is to the proper measurements. On the side of most turkey fryers there is a mark where if your bird is this many pounds you fill to here, because that’s what you don’t want is that oil to come out over the top and get to your burner that way. There are some different poles you can use so you aren’t standing over the top of it.”

It is also important to keep a fire extinguisher close by while cooking.