From Beers to Brats : Staying Safe this Tailgating Season

By Dr. Jack Cornwell, Medical Director, CareWell Urgent Care

It's football season in America. A time when strangers from every corner of the nation coming together, firing up the grill and breaking out the face paint to celebrate one of America’s greatest pastimes. But with tailgating season in full swing it’s important to remember to keep your safety as well as the safety of others in mind. So, before you break out the cornhole and coolers, here are three ways to ensure your game day is one to remember – for all the right reasons.

Tip #1: Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen

When packing your car with game day essentials like hot dog buns, a comfy fold-up chair and your lucky jersey, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re going to be exposed to the elements for quite a while. Between tailgating with friends and cheering on your favorite team, always be sure to bring along sunscreen to protect you and your friends from the sun’s harmful rays. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even on a cloudy day, you’re still exposed to UV rays. Save yourself the uncomfortable ride home and the awkward aloe baths by always remembering to pack sunscreen.

Tip #2: Chicken wings taste better cooked, it’s just a fact

It’s no doubt that at the heart of every tailgate is the food. From eggs and bacon to ribs and coleslaw, no tailgate is complete without a fold-up table adorned with endless goodies (don’t worry, tailgating calories don’t count!). If you want to be the grill master your friends and family praise for weeks, be sure that you’re taking the steps to avoid food-borne illnesses. Here are some helpful tips for a healthy and wholesome tailgate spread:

• Keep raw and cooked meats separate at all times, as to not contaminate your food
• Use a food thermometer to ensure your food is cooked thoroughly
• Avoid things like cheese, salad dressing and any other dairy-based products that have been unrefrigerated

Tip #3: It doesn’t take a defensive lineman to lift a cooler

Your cooler says a lot about you. Maybe it’s decorated with your favorite team’s logo, maybe it’s been with you since your very first tailgate. Filled with everything you need to impress your hungry friends, your cooler can make or break your tailgate. With that being said, don’t let your cooler be the reason you’re sitting on the sidelines this football season. Thousands of sports fans hurt their backs while trying to lift their coolers into their vehicles. To properly pick up your cooler, be sure to lift with your legs and not you back. Avoid hunching your back over you cooler. Instead, keep your back straight and eyes forward as you lift.

We hope that you and your team have a great football season, but if you do get tackled by a tailgating-related injury, you can always visit your local CareWell Urgent Care center. No matter the score, your well-being is CareWell’s top priority.

Photo credit: Greenough/Seanlockephotography – stock.adobe.com