Are you deep-frying a turkey? Read this first.

While deep-frying turkeys has become increasingly popular, it could be a recipe for disaster.

Are you planning on deep-frying a turkey this year, or do you someone who is? You might want to rethink that decision, or at least pay attention to the following statistics and safety information.

Deep-fryer fires cause an average of five deaths, 60 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which warns against deep-frying your turkey.

Frying a turkey has fire and safety officials alarmed because:

• As the turkey is placed in the hot oil, the oil may spill over from the fryer onto the burner, causing a fire.
• Turkey fryers are prone to tipping over.
• Most turkey fryers do not have an automatic thermostat control. Because of this, the oil can overheat to the point of combustion and cause a fire.
• Turkey fryers, including the lid and handles, get extremely hot and can easily cause burns.

If you decide to use a turkey fryer, be sure to follow these safety protocols from the FDNY Foundation:

• Make sure to use the fryer outdoors and use the fryer a safe distance (at least 10 feet) from flammable materials and other buildings.
• Do not use turkey fryers in a garage.
• Never let children near the fryer, even when it’s not in use.
• Never leave the fryer unattended.
• Do not overfill the fryer.
• Use safety goggles to protect your eyes and always use quality, heat-proof oven mitts when handling the fryer. Better yet, use FR protection!
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before putting it into the deep fryer.
• Keep a fire extinguisher near the fryer. Do not use water to put out a grease fire.