Creating a Safe Backyard Tailgate

Football season is here! Whether you follow the games or not, there's room for everyone to get involved in the excitement. One way to enjoy the big game is to host an outdoor tailgate, and we've got a few tips to help you make the best of your event!

The Big Game on a Big Screen

Don't make a rookie mistake and use an indoor TV outside. Even if you plan to take the TV back inside after the game, you run a risk of damaging it and voiding your warranty. Instead, try an outdoor TV like the Samsung Terrace. It may seem like a bit of an investment, but the price of having to replace your indoor TV if it were to get damaged could be much higher than simply buying an outdoor TV. What's more, you can go beyond football - think of other sporting events, movies, or favorite shows that you can watch outdoors as well. An outdoor TV will allow you to turn your backyard into a party venue for any viewing event. Watching outside is much more fun than watching indoors, and it will be more comfortable than having everyone cram into your living room!

Take a Seat

You may not have enough patio furniture to seat guests, but there's nothing wrong with having a "BYOC" policy: Bring Your Own Chair. Most people own some sort of portable chair, whether they're beach chairs, camping chairs or folding chairs, and having everyone bring their own works perfectly with the tailgating theme. If anything, it'll make the whole thing feel more authentic and add to the fun. Plus, everyone bringing their own seats will prevent the age-old party dilemma of someone losing their seat to another guest.

Something Smells Good

A tailgate isn't a tailgate without the smell of BBQ in the air! The perfect grill for tailgating is one that has an extra work surface for prepping and a side burner for cooking chili and stews. There are many grills to choose from, so it's easy to find one that will help you unleash your inner outdoor chef.

Keep Everyone Safe and Healthy

With cold and flu season right around the corner, an outdoor tailgate can help you and your guests avoid getting sick. If you're inviting people from outside your household, cut down on the risk of germ vectors by avoiding shared surfaces. You can enact a "BYOB" policy and have your guests each bring their own personal cooler. If you're providing snacks like chips, avoid serving them in a large bowl and instead have small individually-sized bags. If you're grilling and need to provide items like napkins or plates, make sure everything is disposable - it'll make cleanup way easier too. If there are unavoidable shared surfaces, have hand sanitizer available for use nearby. Hosting in the open air will cut back on a lot of transmission concerns, but it's still a good idea to be proactive where you can.

Get the Party Started

Music is the key to setting the mood, and the mood at your tailgate should be high energy! You'll need a Bluetooth speaker or outdoor speakers to play that awesome playlist you put together.

Get Everyone Involved

You want to make sure everyone is having a good time, including those who don't follow the game. If kids are around, have activities set aside to keep them occupied, and allow the adults space to chat and socialize. Lastly, as the host, don't forget to ENJOY! A happy host is a sign of a successful gathering. Happy tailgating!