How to have a Safe and Healthy Super Bowl Sunday

With Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, party planning is in full swing. But, whether your hosting a party or attending one, keeping Super Bowl weekend a safe and healthy one should be a top priority. Without a safe and healthy game plan, Super Bowl weekend can end in tragedy.

As much as football, food, and fun are associated with the weekend, sadly, so are drunk driving accidents. Alcohol consumption is common during bigger sporting events and the Super Bowl is no exception. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost half of all traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday are alcohol-related.

Drunk driving accidents are 100 percent preventable. If you are attending a party, designate a sober driver before the party begins. If you are hosting a party, make sure every group at your party has a designated driver. Do not let a guest drive home intoxicated and never serve a minor. Hosts should also be aware of how much their guests are drinking. Don’t continue to serve alcohol to a guest who appears to be impaired.

Food safety should also be a priority for Super Bowl Sunday party hosts. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following food safety tips to prevent contamination:

• Always clean hands with soap and water before handling food.
• Separate cooked foods from ready-to-eat foods.
• Cook meat to an internal temperature of 160°.
• Don’t let cooked foods sit out at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

Lastly, it’s important for guests and hosts to pay attention to things that may cause injury. Unintentional accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States, reports the CDC. To prevent an accident-related injury or death, never leave children unattended, make sure pets are prepared for the excitement of game day, and always wear a seat belt while traveling to and from parties. Also, if you are grilling or cooking, have a fire extinguisher nearby. Residential fires are one of the leading causes of deaths in the U.S. during the winter months.

As a Carlsbad personal injury lawyer, I know how quickly a serious accident related injury or death can occur. I also know how easy and simple it can be to prevent a serious accident related injury or death. No matter what team you are routing for; enjoy the game responsibly! Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website for more tips on how to keep your Super Bowl weekend a safe one.