Holiday safety tips for a fire-free holiday Published Nov. 18, 2014 By 10th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Lives are disrupted every holiday season by fires caused by inattentive cooking or lack of safety awareness when it comes to using a turkey fryer. Most fires involving turkey fryers occur while the frying oil is heated, so closely watch the temperature of the oil. Safety tips · Keep a dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby and put the fryer in an open area. Call 9-1-1 if a fire starts; don't try to put out the fire with water. · Watch the fryer while it's turned on and never use it in a garage, breezeway, carport or any other flammable structure. · Raise and lower your food slowly to reduce splashing and avoid burns; cover your skin when adding or removing food from the fryer and frequently check the cooking oil temperature. The temperature should never be higher than 400 degrees. Turn the gas off immediately if you see smoke. · Place the fryer's propane tank at least two feet from the burner and put the liquid propane tank and fryer where wind can blow the heat from the tank. Center the pot over the burner on the cooker. · Completely thaw and dry your turkey before cooking. Partially frozen or wet turkeys can produce oil splatter when the turkey is added to the fryer. · High-temperature oils such as peanut oil are more stable at higher temperatures. · Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the amount of oil to add to the fryer. The oil level should be low enough not to spill over when the turkey is added. Visit www.nfpa.org/safety-information for more holiday safety tips.