Tailgating Safety Tips

For many Texans, fall means one thing: football season. From September through the end of the year, thousands of fans in Texas will eagerly watch games and participate in age-old traditions such as Sunday watch parties and tailgating. Sadly, not all fans will make it to the other end of the season without at least one trip to the hospital. Whether you are rooting for the Dallas Cowboys or the Houston Texans, keep yourself safe this tailgating season with a few essential tips.

Food poisoning is a very real problem that can easily affect tailgaters who do not use proper care when handling their food. Always keep raw chicken separate from other foods and wash your hands after touching it to avoid cross-contamination. After a utensil or surface touches raw meat, wash the item and dry it using paper towels. Do not place cooked meat on the same plate where raw meat sat. Keep all your meats and other perishable food items out of the heat and in a cold cooler on ice.

A serious sunburn could lead to sun poisoning – something no fan wants to leave the stadium with. Too much heat could also cause health problems such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Wear long sleeves and pants to keep your skin safe from the sun. Put sunscreen on exposed parts of your body and reapply often, at least once per hour. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Drink plenty of water and fluids throughout the day (besides alcohol) to avoid getting dehydrated. Never leave children or pets in hot vehicles while tailgating.

If you plan on tailgating on someone else’s property or at a Texas football stadium, know the rules before you go. Many stadiums have rules in place for alcohol, glass containers, number of vehicles and types of grills. Do not bring the incorrect type of grill and risk being unable to cook at your tailgating party. If you do plan on grilling, use the utmost grill safety. Never leave your grill unattended. Place it at least six feet away from combustibles and vehicles. Dump your coals in a designated place. Bring a fire extinguisher with you in case of an emergency.

Violent assaults lead to many emergency room visits during football season. Avoid altercations with other fans while at a game by being polite and courteous. Try to avoid using inflammatory language, even if your team is losing. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, as this could impair your judgment and lead to fights. If another fan is trying to incite a fight, walk away and notify a stadium attendant.

Every year, thousands of people throughout the U.S. suffer serious injuries and die in drunk driving accidents. In 2018 alone, 940 people in Texas lost their lives because of drunk drivers. Do not risk your lives or the lives of others by driving home from a tailgating party after drinking alcohol. If you plan on drinking at all – any amount, at any time – while tailgating, plan for a sober ride home. Designate a sober driver to come to the party or leave your vehicle overnight and hail a cab. You always have safer options than driving drunk.

If your tailgating session runs into the night, do not depart alone. Use the buddy system to walk back to your home or vehicle. Walking around a stadium parking lot alone at night could make you a target for criminals. Walk with a trusted friend and stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. It is especially important to use the buddy system if you have been drinking. Let your friends know where you are going and when to expect you back. Keep your cellphone on you in case of emergencies.

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