Enjoying a “tailgate” is great any time of year – and is especially exciting during football season, with all the food, fun, and comradery that lead up to the game! Before, during, and after tailgate time, it’s vital to keep yourself and others safe.
These tips can help:
- Keep ’em cold – Use ice, frozen gel packs, or containers of ice to help keep perishable food like burgers, sausage, and chicken cold before cooking. Make sure cold cuts, salads, and dips – especially those made with mayonnaise – are kept cold, too.
- Keep ’em hot – Enjoy hot takeout within two hours – one hour when temperatures top 90 °F. If you’re packing soup, chili, or stew for later, preheat an insulated container with boiling water for a few minutes, empty it, add piping-hot food, and keep it closed to maintain a safe 140 °F or higher for hours.
- Grill and serve safely – Along with your grill and fuel, pack a food thermometer to make sure meat and poultry reach a bacteria-busting safe temperature – and bring plenty of clean utensils so cooked food stays safely separated from raw ingredients from grill to plate. What’s more, to help prevent injuries and fires, keep horseplay and games away from the grill, keep any loose-fitting clothing clear of the flames, and never grill beneath a pop-up tent.
- Plan a safe ride – If you drink, don’t drive – choose a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service to get home safely.
- Have fun – This is what tailgating is all about!
Keep your next tailgate safe, fun, and terrific – from kickoff to cleanup.
Source:
U.S. Department of Agriculture – https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/tailgating-food-safety-q-a Accessed September 9, 2026