A few things to keep in mind as you are frying up latkes in your kitchen:

• Hot oil is extremely dangerous. Never walk away from your stove when there’s hot oil in the pan.

• Keep your pot handles facing in, not hanging over the edge of your stove.

• Water and hot oil DO NOT MIX! Take care not to drop any water in your frying oil; it will splatter all over you and your kitchen. Keep your spatula dry. Keep a dry towel nearby.

• The oil has to be changed once it starts smoking or turns black. You can probably get away with 3—4 batches of latkes before changing the oil.

• Be prepared: Have your paper towel-lined baking sheet nearby, keep a spoon rest available for your spatula, and cover yourself with an apron.

• Keep the exhaust fan on and the windows open; oil smells and can leave a film on all of your kitchen appliances.

Latkes are delicious and worth all of the hard work, but thank goodness we only do this once a year!