Super Bowl party safety game plan
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Top plays to keep your celebration safe
There are no instant replays when it comes to hosting a party or playing safe on Super Bowl Sunday. Statistics show that the average household will bring 17 people together on the day of the game, making it one of the most-watched, most highly celebrated events of the year. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the leading product safety testing organization, has a playbook for the big day that can help hosts take an offensive position to create a safe celebration for family and friends:
Play #1: BLOW THE WHISTLE ON TV TIP-OVERS
- Don’t let an unexpected touchdown dance knock over the TV. Overly excited fans are a given on Super Bowl Sunday. Make sure your TV and entertainment center are safely mounted.
- Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving and bureaus to the wall using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws or toggles.
- Place the TV on sturdy furniture appropriate for its size or on a low-rise base.
- Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand.
- Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach and teach them not to play with the cords.
- Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, like toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture.
- Don’t get called for a penalty by burying extension cords under a rug. Don’t “hide” extension cords by running them under carpets or heavy items. The wiring can become worn, overheat and potentially cause a fire. Instead, get a longer cord and route it down the sidelines — next to the walls and out of high traffic areas. Also, don’t use extension cords that are cut or damaged.
- Illegal formation: don’t plug too many cords into an outlet. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the device(s) you will be using on power strips. Plugging in too many products into an outlet or power strip may cause a power outage or a fire.
- Score a touchdown by buying products that have been tested for safety. Look for the UL Mark on electronics. Products that bear the UL Mark mean representative samples have been tested to UL’s rigorous safety standards and found to be free of foreseeable safety hazards.
Play #2: SCORE ONE FOR SAFETY During HalfTime SnackTime
- Tackle grilling outside. Make sure the designated griller keeps his/her cooking outdoors. Grilling in garages, carports or even inside the house is extremely dangerous. It could not only cause a fire, but also be a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. UL suggests you plan ahead and pre-cook during the pre-game and keep your grill a safe distance (10 feet if possible) from the side of your home.
- Stand by your pan. Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking. Most fires in the kitchen occur because food is left unattended. If you must leave the kitchen or walk away from the grill to check the score, carry an oven mitt or grilling tongs with you as a reminder that something is cooking.
- There are no instant replays when using turkey fryers. Be extremely cautious if using a turkey fryer. If not used correctly, this half-time snack-time activity could burn more than just your timeouts. Because turkey fryers pose a number of distinct safety concerns, including burn and fire hazards, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers.
Play #3: CHILD-PROOF AND DAD-PROOF FOR A FOOL-PROOF PARTY
- Create safety zones to control the crowd. Limit the number of people in areas like the kitchen, especially when the stove or oven is in use.
- Also, use the teams’ pre-game stretches as a guide to get down on your hands and knees to search each room for objects or situations that may endanger children who will be at your home. Pay attention to sharp corners and small objects.
- Adjust the lineup for a fun and safe party for kids. Make your home game day ready for children. If you’re rearranging furniture for the party don’t block exits with large items in case of an emergency. Pathways should be clear of small toys, throw rugs, electrical cords and other items that could cause children to trip or fall.
- Get your game face on with water-based face paint. Purchase face paint that is clearly marked “non-toxic” and “water-based.” Carefully review the product before buying it, as some face paints may contain small amounts heavy metals like lead and can cause adverse skin reactions, rashes and irritation, even in small amounts. Also, pay close attention to the directions on face paint, specifically where they can be used and how to best remove them.