Thanksgiving is here, and families across the country will be returning to long-held traditions.  

When it comes to food, some families will enjoy apple pie, while others may opt for pumpkin or pecan. And some families will deep-fry their turkey instead of roasting it all day.

Meredith Carothers, a food safety expert with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, called the cooking method a “cool way” of preparing a Thanksgiving classic that “has gained a lot of popularity over the years.”   

But she warned that, if your family wants to deep-fry a turkey, there are some important safety tips you should know to avoid a holiday disaster. 

First, people who deep-fry a turkey should make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees, measured with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh. 

Carothers also said deep-frying a turkey can cause fire risks, burns from hot oil and more. She urged people celebrating Thanksgiving to only deep-fry a fully thawed turkey. 

“Any kind of extra frozen crystals or ice or anything on that turkey that goes into that fryer will immediately interact with the hot oil and vaporize and turn into super-hot steam. That then can expand quite quickly and cause the oil to overflow or splatter,” Carothers said.  

And that spattering can cause burns or major fires when the oil comes into contact with a flame. For years, dramatic videos have circulated on social media of fires erupting from dangerous frying setups.

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Where should you deep-fry your turkey?

State Farm also advises placing a fryer outdoors and far away from any structures, like houses, decks, and even trees. A fryer should also never be used inside a garage.

The weather is another factor to be mindful of. Fryers should not be operated in the rain or snow.

In an effort to limit moving the fryer once it is on, it should be placed on a level surface.

A fryer with temperature controls is best. The oil temperature should be check continuously to make sure it doesn't over heat. Overheated oil can lead to a fire. If the oil is smoking, turn off the fryer to avoid a blaze.

Additionally, the burner should be turned off when lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, then the burner can be turned back on.

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How long to deep-fry a turkey?

No matter the recipe, you should set a timer for three to four minutes per pound when deep-frying a turkey, according to expert tips and advice fromHome Depot.

So, if you have a 20-pound turkey, it should cook for at least 50 to 60 minutes.

A 10-pound turkey should cook for less time at 30 to 40 minutes.

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Other safety tips for deep-frying and roasting a turkey

Here are some other safety tips for cooking your turkey, whether you’re deep-frying or roasting this year

• Have a fire extinguisher nearby.   
• Wear protective gear.
• Keep kids and pets away from the fryer.
• Turn it off when you're done.
• Purchase a 8 to 10 inch turkey.
• Check the owners manual to avoid overfilling.
• Avoid deep-frying a turkey with stuffing inside, which can "too variable on it fully cooking all the way," Carothers explained. 
• Take regular precautions when handling raw meat, such as washing your hands after handling it. 
• Don’t let your cooked turkey sit at room temperature for more than two hours.  
• Check out other safety tips from the Department of Agriculture and State Farm

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