The City of Kirksville says make sure to cook your turkey, not your home, this Thanksgiving. While the holiday is a time for food, family and friends, there are some important items to consider when preparing your feast. If you bought a frozen turkey and plan to fry it, now is the time to start arranging your thawing technique. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it takes 24 hours to thaw every four to five pounds of bird. So, if you have a 16-pound turkey, it will take four days to properly thaw. Frying a turkey that hasn’t been adequately thawed is a major fire risk. Water and oil don’t mix, so any moisture or ice in your bird can cause a violent explosion.