Another football season is in full swing, which means crisp fall afternoons filled with jersey-clad fans enjoying some tailgating activities with family and friends. Tailgating parties are known for their good food, cold beverages and other fun-filled, pre-game festivities. But when tailgaters get careless, unattended grills, too much alcohol and packed parking lots can all cause preventable accidents and unnecessary injuries. To ensure that your next tailgating adventure is a safer and more enjoyable one, use these tips from the Carwise team.
Scores of hungry pigskin fans like to set up charcoal grills for cooking brats, burgers and ribs before the big game. Unfortunately, some people just leave their hot coals for the cool breeze to extinguish once they’re through. But an unattended grill may produce flying embers that can then set a nearby banner, tent or car or fire. That’s why it’s best to start your grill early on gameday and then make sure the coals are completely out before heading into the stadium.
As an added safety precaution, many stadium parking lots now have specially designed bins where fans can place hot coals. Even gas grills can cause explosions, so make sure to carefully read the instructions before lighting yours. Other tailgating grilling precautions include:
In addition to being an eyesore, when you leave trash on the ground it creates a potential hazard for other vehicles as they’re exiting the parking lot. Pedestrians can also trip over larger items, so carry a big garbage bag with you and dispose of your trash before heading into the game. Doing so beforehand will help ensure you don’t leave anything important behind and reduce clean up afterwards.
While tailgating for hours in the warm sun, it’s easy to ignore its powerful UV rays. But even on cloudy days the sun can cause sunburn, dehydration and even sun poisoning. To protect yourself, drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen to exposed skin and wear a baseball cap. Small children and older adults have more sensitive skin, so if you have any in your party make their skin protection a priority.
Football fans also like to drink, and if your tailgating party is going to include alcohol make sure
that you have a designated driver. Thank your DD by supplying them with plenty of non-alcoholic drinks before and during the game. And, encourage anyone who is consuming alcohol to also drink plenty of water and eat some food.
While you’re watching your favorite team, criminals scouring the parking lot could also be watching for an opportune time to break into your vehicle. To protect it from smash-and-grab thieves, hide all valuables that are inside from view, lock the doors and activate your car alarm.
A lot of traffic accidents occur in parking lots, including those found at football stadiums. Be extra cautious when pulling in and out of your space, constantly look for pedestrians, and never drive fast just because you’re in a hurry to get home. Before departing, it’s also wise to walk around your vehicle and check for any debris that could damage your tires.
Even when taking these gameday precautions, you can still be involved in a traffic accident. When one damages your ride, make the right call by locating a fan-friendly auto body or glass repair shop featured in the nationwide Carwise referral network. All collision repair shops listed on Carwise are I-CAR and ASE-certified, which means their team members have the perfect game plan to restore your ride like new again promptly and reliably.
Search your zip code now for a customer-reviewed auto body or glass repair shop nearby: www.carwise.com.
