Dangers of Frying a Turkey

A small amount of cooking oil coming into contact with the burner can cause a large fire.
An overfilled cooking pot or partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is inserted.
The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot, creating severe burn hazards.
Units can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area.
Without thermostat controls, deep fryers have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.

The Cosumnes Fire Department advises against using a turkey fryer. If you decide to do it anyway, these precautions should be followed.

Do not overfill the fryer.
Fryers should always be used outdoors, on a solid level surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
Keep all-purpose fire extinguishers nearby.
Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer.
Never leave the fryer unattended because, without thermostat controls, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after use as the oil can remain hot for hours.
Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage or enclosed space.
Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatter.

Turkey Deep Fat Fryer