Fall is here and so is tailgating. Are you ready to grill like a pro?

Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year. School is back in session, leaves change colors and swimsuits and popsicles are traded in for sweaters and pumpkin-flavored everything.

But there’s another thing that gets some Americans jumping for joy in the fall: Football season! And with football season comes another fall favorite, tailgating.

When you’re building up that team spirit and grilling up some tasty football treats, you’ll want to make sure not to sicken your friends and family. Nothing puts a kibosh on fun like a nasty outbreak of food poisoning.

To keep your team healthy, plan ahead when tailgating and grilling in general:

• Make sure any raw meat, or other perishable food, is stored properly and packaged securely to keep it fresh and prevent contamination. 
• Bring enough plates and utensils. You can’t use the same ones for both raw and cooked meat.
• Come prepared with all the supplies you need, including cleaning supplies, water and, most importantly, your trusty food thermometer.

By using your food thermometer when grilling meat, U.S. Department of Agriculture says you’ll be grilling like a “PRO.”

Here’s how, compliments of the Get Ready cheerleading squad:

• Give me a P! Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat, or approach from the side if grilling thinner cuts of meat, once you think it’s fully cooked.
• Give me an R! Read the internal temperature off the thermometer after about 15 seconds. If you’re cooking steaks, roasts or chops made from beef, pork, lamb or veal, you’ll want to cook them to 145 degrees with a three-minute rest time. Ground meats should be cooked to at least 160 degrees, and whole poultry, poultry breasts and ground poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees.
• Give me an O! Off the grill and into your mouth. Make sure you don’t reuse the plates and utensils that came into contact with the raw meat. Also, be sure to clean your food thermometer thoroughly after use.

Now you’re tailgating like a P-R-O! Goooooooo, team! 

Get ready for the Super Bowl!

Photo: NFL

Although most Americans will watch the Super Bowl indoors, more than 80,000 lucky football fans will get to see the big game in person in New Jersey on Feb. 2. With this year’s Super Bowl being played in a huge outdoor stadium — with temperatures there expected to be in the 20s and 30s on Sunday — now’s a good time for a refresher on how to be prepared.
 
Whether you’re watching a professional football game in a stadium or attending a local sports event this winter, chances are you’ll be exposed to cold weather for a long period of time. If you’re not prepared, you can be subject to dangerous and even life-threatening conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia.
 
When you’re going to be outdoors for a long time in cold weather, make plans to dress warmly and in tightly woven layers to prevent heat loss, and pay special attention to your hands and feet. Choose moisture-resistant coats, jackets, hats, gloves and other cold weather gear, as wet clothes increase the chance of heat loss. Drinking warm beverages such as apple cider or broth can help too, but stay away from alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, which cause your body to lose heat even faster.
 
Another thing to keep in mind during the big game? The crowds. When many people gather in the same place at once, it’s important to think of your safety. Here are some tips, courtesy of our Get Ready fact sheet on mass events:

• Gather information about the event in advance, including what you are allowed to bring to the venue, and approximately how long it will last.
• Collect your supplies, including hand sanitizer, a map of the event location and surrounding area and enough money to purchase warm beverages for the cold weather.
• Be aware of your surroundings, and take note of all of the exits and the closest first-aid station.

It’s also good to be prepared for the unexpected. The blackout during last year’s Super Bowl taught us to be prepared for more than just crowds and weather. Power outages are common in winter, so it’s always good to have a plan for when the lights unexpectedly go out.
 
Whether or not you plan to brave the cold for the big game, being prepared will ensure that you have a fun and safe Super Bowl Sunday!

Staying safe in big crowds: Seven quick tips

Maybe you’re going to the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., this week, or perhaps you were lucky enough to score tickets to the Super Bowl in February.

Big events can be a lot of fun and a cause for celebration — but large crowds can also be scary if things go wrong. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

1. Know what you’re in for. How many people are expected at the event? Will you have to go through security? Can you bring food and water with you? Will you need to take medication at the event? Planning for these issues ahead of time will help everything run smoothly during the event.
2. Check the weather. If you’re going to be outside in the cold, prepare with warm clothes, paying special attention to your hands and feet. Or for events in hot weather, remember sunblock, dress lightly and don’t forget to drink a lot of water!
3. Take a look around you. Once you get to the event, check out your surroundings. Take note of emergency exits, restrooms and the location of a medical tent or first aid station. If an emergency happens, head calmly to the nearest exit.
4. Pick a place to meet. If you’re with a group of people, pick a time and a place to meet, and be as specific as possible. Don’t rely on cellphones — if your battery dies or cellphone towers are overwhelmed, you’ll be glad you had a plan!
5. Protect yourself. Big crowds can also mean a bigger chance of getting sick. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you go to the event. Bring hand sanitizer if possible and wash your hands after touching surfaces such as door handles and railings. And if you are coughing or have a fever, do everyone else a favor and stay home. 
6. Let someone know if you feel sick. If you start to feel dizzy, overheated or nauseous, ask for help immediately. Be sure to let people know if you have medical conditions or allergies. A friend or event official can make sure you get medical attention as soon as possible.
7. Be patient. With big crowds, you may have long waiting periods for security, bathrooms, food and even entering and exiting the event. Have patience with event staff and other people — they don’t like waiting in long lines, either!

Check out our fact sheet about event safety (PDF) for more advice.

And remember: Have fun, stay safe!