Be careful of champagne corks on New Year’s Eve

For many people, New Year’s Eve means celebrating with family and friends with champagne toasts. But champagne bottles that are not opened correctly could cause eye injuries if you get hit with a cork in the eye.

To celebrate safely, here are some tips on opening a bottle of champagne correctly:

• Make sure sparkling wine is chilled to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
• Don’t shake the bottle.
• Hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood. Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and from other people.
• Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
• Keep the bottle at a 45-degree angle as you slowly and firmly twist the bottle while holding the cork to break the seal. Continue to hold the cork while twisting the bottle. Continue until the cork is almost out of the neck. Counter the force of the cork using slight downward pressure just as the cork breaks free from the bottle.

Have a very Happy New Year!