Tailgating Safety

I know the vision you have in your head for your tailgate party is the perfect set-up, with great food, a cold drink, and your friends. It's sunny, the music's playing, and you've forgotten about that jerk at work who dumped that project on your desk Friday at 5:00. You aren't thinking about a cut finger, sunburn, or scalded feet thanks to your buddy knocking over the deep fryer. But you should.

Well, you don't need to be thinking about injuries while enjoying your tailgate party, but you do need to think about them before you head to the parking lot. A first aid kit is just as important as a grill and cooler. Pack it at the beginning of the season, put it in you car or tailgating bag, and don't bother yourself with it again - but it will be there when you need it.

While the cell phone may be the first item you reach for when there's an accident, even in a serious emergency you'll need to do something to help the injured between the time you dial and the time professional help arrives.

Of course, not all accidents are serious, so be sure to prepare your first-aid kit with basic items for more common bumps and bruises. The following list will cover most anything you'll need in the parking lot and ensure you're prepared - even if you're not a Boy Scout.

• Alcohol swabs/antiseptic wipes
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Adhesive bandages
• Sterile gauze pads
• First-aid tape
• Scissors
• One or two elastic bandages (for wrapping sprained ankles and the like)
• Burn creams (including sun burn creams)
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Aspirin
• Antacids
• Tweezers
• Disposable instant cold pack
• Thermometer
• Plastic/latex gloves
• Blanket (if not in your first-aid kit, at least nearby)

One last thing to go into your kit is a list of emergency phone numbers for your area. You know 9-1-1 for major, life-threatening emergencies, but be sure to include the non-emergency phone numbers for the police and fire departments, as well as the numbers for poison control and other similar organizations.

With your first-aid kit out of the way you can now get to important issues, like whether you're making chicken or ribs.

Next: Spice-up Your Tailgating

Stephen Linn is the author of The Ultimate Tailgater's Handbook and The Ultimate Tailgater's Travel Guide: More Than 20 Great Road Trips which are the ultimate how-to resources for the tailgater who wants to do it all, have it all, and host the best party in the parking lot. Learn more and watch his how-to tailgating videos at www.theultimatetailgater.com.