Tulsa Fire Department Shares Thanksgiving Safety Tips

If you're thinking about deep-frying a turkey for the first time this year, the Tulsa Fire Department wants you to be safe, or maybe not even try it at all.

"Oftentimes people attempt to fry a turkey for the first time and they do things wrong, and that can lead to loss of property or severe burns," said Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department.

Little said if you are going to fry a turkey, make sure it's completely thawed, dried off, and don’t overfill the oil. He said you should slowly lower the turkey into the oil and make sure you keep a safe distance.

"Don't leave it unattended in any way, so that a child or a pet or something could knock that over. Those burns are very painful, very lasting, and can certainly change a holiday from a fun family event to a horrible day," Little said.

Little said grease fires in the kitchen are a big concern, too. He said if one happens in your home, turn off the heat first, then cover it with a lid.

"We don't want you to try to carry that pan outside, move it in any way, because you could burn yourself, you could knock some of that grease out and start a fire in your home," said Little.

The fire department said if you really want a fried turkey, there are plenty of places where you can just buy one.