Warning issued over potentially fatal turkey cooking mistake this Thanksgiving

For those in the United States, today is Thanksgiving - and homes all over the country will soon be settling down to tuck into their turkey and discuss what they're grateful for.

While the main focus of the day is spending time with loved ones and expressing gratitude, the food does of course attract a lot of attention.

Many families serve Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings - including the traditional mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

The turkey gets the most attention though of course, being the centrepiece of the table and all.

There are a variety of ways to cook the bird - with many homes opting to deep fry theirs for maximum crispiness.

Warnings have been issued against this particular method, which carries the risk of being fatal.

As the New York Post points out: "Fire is the concern here, along with serious burns—and it’s not just an issue at Thanksgiving.

All eyes are on the turkey during Thanksgiving (Getty Stock Image)

"Dried-out Christmas trees, lit candles during Hanukkah, and greasy ovens at any time of year can all lead to a possible flare-up in the home."

According to camping and outdoors expert and director of partnerships at Campspot, Carolin Fuller, there are a list of do's and don'ts if you're planning on deep-frying your turkey this Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Without further ado, here they are...

Deep fry outside

If you are going to lower your turkey into a vat of oil, it's infinitely safer to do it outside of the home.

Fuller says: “Always make sure you’re frying outside on a flat, fireproof surface, away from structures or flammable materials."

Be present

Walking away from the deep-frying process makes it much more risky.

Fuller calls this the 'golden rule,' before adding: "Never leave your setup unattended."

By doing so, a world of risks opens up, including the cooker tipping over or the boiling hot contents could spill over, creating a huge burn risk.

Many people choose to deep fry their turkey (Getty Stock Image)

Have an extinguisher on hand

Fairly self-explanatory, but in the event of a fire, it's imperative to have the right aid.

Fuller highlights the importance of having a fire extinguisher, or a 'foldable fire blanket or both,' as well as a long-handled thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of the oil.

Make sure the bird is dry

This rule applies to anything you're deep frying - oil and water don't mix!

“Always dry your thawed turkey completely before lowering it slowly into hot oil to avoid splatters," Fuller says.

Keep an eye on pets and kids

Don't let anyone wander off or get too close to the deep fat fryer, as there could be devastating consequences.

Don’t store propane in the home

Chances are your deep fryer is powered by propane, and if that's the case, it’s crucial that the tanks are stored properly.

In other words, they have to be stored outdoors, out of direct heat, and at least 10 feet away from the home.