How to plan ahead for a safe, claims-free Super Bowl

Regardless of which teams are playing, the Super Bowl is a festive, annual event that prompts many Americans to throw a viewing party.

Many of these parties include several guests and a large spread of food and alcohol.

Plan ahead to make sure you and your guests avoid any accidents or injuries that ruin the big day.  

It’s a good idea for insurance agents to review coverage with their clients before a Super Bowl house party. Review the liability section of a client's homeowners' or renters' insurance policy and be sure policyholders understand the coverage they have in the event that they are sued and deemed liable for an accident involving one of their guests.

Super Bowl of drunk driving

Another big concern: driving while impaired or under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, Super Bowl Sunday has earned the reputation of being one of the biggest drunk driving days of the year. 

In California, there were 294 fatal and injury crashes on Super Bowl Sundays from 2009 through 2013 versus 166 for the comparable other Sundays — or 26 extra per year, according to the Los Angeles Times. In 2015, nearly half of all U.S. traffic fatalities were caused by drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Drivers should remember that they are putting not only their lives, but the lives of others, in jeopardy when they choose to drink and drive. 

This Super Bowl Sunday, it's important that everyone keep the following safety guidelines in mind:

Alcohol: Be a responsible host & drink responsibly

• If you are hosting a party, offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to reduce the chance of impaired driving by guests.
• Serve lots of food — particularly high-protein dishes.
• Be aware of food allergies. An allergic reaction to food can be life-threatening. Ask your guests if they have any food allergies before you begin cooking .
• Consider hiring a professional bartender.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Select non-drinking designated drivers in advance.
• Stop serving liquor toward the end of the evening — begin serving coffee and dessert.
• Encourage your guests not to drink and drive. Take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired. Remember, you can be prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.

Fans have a new way to “Party Safe” thanks to Tostitos providing a safe ride home via Uber. By simply entering a Tostitos Tortilla Chips UPC code into the Uber app, fans nationwide can receive $10 off their ride on February 5, 2017.

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Super Bowl Sunday has earned the reputation of being a dangerous day on the roads because of drunk drivers. (Photo: iStock)

Here are more tips to help avoid costly insurance claims during the Super Bowl weekend:

Prevent accidents

• With winter in full swing, the weather can expose you and your guests to new hazards such as icy stairs and freezing temperatures. Before your guests arrive, make sure your home, driveway, stairs and walkway are clear of any potential trip and fall hazards and prevent accidents. 
• If you have breakable items around the house, move them to an area that excited fans won’t potentially knock over, crash or break them. Be aware that if your friend’s enthusiastic celebration of a touchdown knocks your 60-inch, flat screen TV off its stand, accidental breakage is typically excluded from your homeowners' or rental policy.

Secure your TV

• Did you know that the day before the Super Bowl is National TV Safety Day? Do a quick check of your home and make sure all TVs are safely secured and touchdown-proofed.
• If you have a heavier box-style TV, make sure you either secure it to a wall or place it on a low, stable piece of furniture that is appropriate for the TV’s size and weight. Every three weeks in the U.S., a child dies from a TV tipping over, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. 
• Be sure your flat-panel TV is properly secured with a mount that has a safety certification by an independent laboratory.

Food & fire safety

• When grilling or frying, be sure not to leave the grill or kitchen unattended. Grilling inside, in garages, or partially enclosed rooms is extremely dangerous and can cause serious accidents.
• Make sure a fire extinguisher is on hand, and check to ensure your home’s smoke detectors are in working order.
• To help avoid the possibility of food poisoning, don't keep food on the buffet at room temperature for more than two hours.

Related: Win big with these 7 food safety tips for your Super Bowl party

Pets

• Don't give your dog or cat alcohol, chips and dip, guacamole, ice cream, nuts, chocolate, fat trimmings, bones, or caffeinated beverages. These items can cause major health problems in pets.
• Be sure to keep trash away from your pet.
• Place food on counters out of your pets’ reach.
• Put your friends’ shoes away if your dog is known for munching on footwear.
• If your pet is shy, have a designated quiet area where they feel safe and secure.

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