A midwestern fall is full of outdoor activities, including many hours spent in tailgating parking lots at football games. Whether your child’s high school hosts a tailgate ahead of the state tournament or you visit one of our local universities for a fun day with friends, staying informed on important tailgating safety tips will make your experience fun and free from a potential personal injury.
Ahead of the college bowl game season, hear from our personal injury attorneys about four tailgating safety steps you can take to keep yourself and others around you safe before kickoff.
1. Drive Slow in Tailgating Parking Lots
Football tailgates are often held in parking lots near the stadium or onsite at the host school. The first thing everyone needs to do is find a parking spot, but sometimes that is difficult when so many people are heading to the same place.
Make sure to give yourself ample time to navigate a tailgating parking lot. With a high-volume of people gathered in one place, you may want to move quickly to get your car into a spot. However, rushing around is often when disaster strikes. Keep your eyes on the road and stay aware of other drivers and pedestrians.
2. Be Mindful of Alcohol
For many people of legal drinking age, enjoying a cold beverage at a football game tailgate is a nice way to spend the day. If you plan to tailgate, stay mindful of how many drinks you consume. If you or a loved one drink, designate a sober driver to ensure you get out of the tailgating parking lot and home safely.
3. Follow Safe Grilling Practices
Grilling hamburgers and hot dogs are a great way to fill your stomach and get ready to enjoy the game ahead. If you bring a portable grill to a tailgating parking lot, make sure to follow these tailgating safety tips for grilling:
- Don’t leave your grill or any open flame unattended. Make sure someone is responsible for monitoring the open flames at all times, ensuring those around you are safe from a burn injury.
- Give the grill some space. Set your grill up away from your car, tables and other food items to reduce the risk of fire.
- Make sure coals are cool before gametime. Give your grill or portable fire pit enough time to cool down before you head in for the game. Leaving a fire unattended while it’s still hot could quickly turn into an accident if you are not around.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. If the flames get too high, keep a fire extinguisher nearby to halt the flames before someone gets burned.
4. Pay Attention to Signage and Police Directions
Depending on where you attend a game-day tailgate, there may be specific signage or police officers directing the flow of traffic and movement of pedestrians. For example, if you are parking at Mizzou football games, there are designated parking zones depending on if you have a parking permit or if you are using public parking.
Be alert that game-day signage and police directions may cause frequent braking. Give yourself enough distance from the cars ahead of you to avoid a rear-end collision or a multiple car crash in congested areas.
Stay Safe and Enjoy the Game!
Whether you plan to tailgate at a stadium or at a local function, stay aware and alert of those around you to ensure you and your loved ones have a great time! Planning ahead, following tailgating parking lot rules and practicing good tailgating safety on game day can help reduce personal injuries. But, we understand that accidents happen and when they do — MHM is here to help you!
From car accidents to severe burns, we have the experience and dedication to guide you through every phase of your case. Contact us at mhmlegal.com to set up a free consultation with our team!