Super Bowl Sunday – a day when 62 percent of grill owners fire-up their grills for the big game – is fast approaching. More home parties take place on Super Bowl Sunday than almost any other day of the year; the average size of a party is 17 people. And, with more guests comes a greater risk for injuries and accidents.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a 115-year old product safety organization, would love to share with you its Super Bowl party safety playbook for hosts:

SCORE ONE FOR SAFETY During Half Time Snack Time

• 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 head 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.

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.
• 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.

• 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.

Hope this helps some of you.  After all, you know me, I’m a safety girl! ;D  Enjoy the game!!