Insurance companies and firefighters aren't usually in the business of telling you how to cook your Thanksgiving meal, but they'll gladly tell you to be careful with one method for cooking turkeys.

While deep-frying turkeys has been increasing in popularity in recent years, there's more to worry about than putting a dry bird on the dinner table. Combine a pot of scalding hot oil, a flame from a propane tank and inexperience with the cooking method and you've got a potential recipe for disaster.

The Gaffney Fire Department had one deep-fried turkey fire last year but luckily it didn't result in much damage and no one was injured.

If you're intent on trying the cooking method, Gaffney Fire Chief Nathan Ellis says you should follow all the cooking pot manufacturer's instructions closely and have assistance.

The deep-frying pot should be kept outdoors in open areas, away from structures like your home or garage, Ellis said. The pot also should be kept well away from children and pets.

One common danger is overfilling the pot with oil, resulting in spills when you dunk the turkey. Cooking oils are flammable and when spilled can be ignited by the pot burner.

Pot instability can be another big problem, according to Allstate Insurance Company. Oil temperatures can hit 350 degrees in a deep-frying pot and that can lead to serious burns.

Ellis said some pots hold as much as five gallons of oil which you wouldn't want spilling on your feet, skin or anyone around you.

"From a code enforcement side," Ellis noted, "restaurants have suppression systems to deal with problems." So make sure you have an ABC fire extinguisher handy if you try this cooking method, he said.

"A garden hose isn't going to help you if this catches fire," he said.

Firefighters explained that since oil floats on water, dousing an oil fire will do nothing but cause the fire to spread.

Another common danger is putting a frozen or partially thawed turkey into the fryer. The frozen water in the turkey will automatically boil in the hot oil, resulting in spattering. That, too, can lead to burns and flare-ups.

With all that said, Allstate Insurance Company recommends that inexperienced chefs carefully weigh the risks of the deep-frying method.

"Don't compromise your safety and the safety of those you love just to achieve a better tasting turkey," said Cliff Butler, field vice president of Allstate's Southeast Region.

Safety Tips

Keep the fryer in full view while burner is on. Place fryer in an open area away from all walls, fences, or other structures. Never use a fryer in, on, or under a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or structure that can catch fire. Raise and lower food slowly to reduce splatter and avoid burns. Cover your bare skin when adding or removing food. Check the oil temperature frequently. If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn gas supply off. If a fire occurs, immediately call 911. Do not attempt to extinguish fire with water. Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Allstate Insurance Company