AAA reminds fans to prevent fires, avoid impaired driving and protect their property
WICHITA, Kan. – Sept. 1, 2026 – From parking lot tailgates to backyard watch parties, football season brings fans together to celebrate their favorite teams. AAA is reminding fans that a winning gameday plan should include more than food and team spirit. Taking simple precautions can help prevent fires, property damage and impaired-driving crashes that can quickly turn a celebration into a tragedy.
AAA is encouraging football fans to make safety part of their game plan so celebrations remain memorable for all the right reasons.
“Football season should be remembered for great plays and great memories, not preventable accidents,” said Dan Scroggins, Vice President, Personal Lines Insurance for AAA Club Alliance. “Whether you’re tailgating at the stadium or hosting friends at home, a few simple precautions can help prevent injuries, property damage and costly insurance claims.”
Tailgating Safely in Stadium Parking Lots
Tailgating brings fans together, but stadium parking lots also place grills, hot coals, open flames and flammable materials in close proximity to vehicles and other equipment. AAA recommends that tailgaters:
- Position grills well away from vehicles, tents and other flammable items.
- Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach. It can be used not only during an emergency, but also to help control flare-ups before they spread.
- Never leave a grill unattended, even for a quick trip to the cooler.
“A fire extinguisher might not be the most exciting tailgate accessory, but it could be the one that saves your car, your gear, or even lives,” said Scroggins.
Don’t Forget Grill Safety When the Tailgate Ends
The end of a tailgate is just as important as the beginning when it comes to fire prevention. A 2022 tailgating fire at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami destroyed 11 vehicles after an unattended grill ignited a fire beneath a parked car. While incidents like this are uncommon, they demonstrate how quickly a grill fire can spread in a crowded parking area.
AAA recommends these steps before leaving a stadium tailgate:
- Allow everything to cool completely. Hot grills, coals and grease trays should cool in a safe, open area — never under or next to a vehicle.
- Dispose of ashes properly. Place cooled ashes in a metal container with a lid. Never dump ashes on the ground or put them in plastic bags, which can melt or ignite.
- Keep warm equipment out of your vehicle. A grill or coal tray that remains hot can create a fire hazard inside a vehicle.
- Clean up grease and food debris. Remove leftover grease, wipe down surfaces and securely dispose of food and trash.
- Check for remaining heat or flare-ups. Conduct a final inspection to make sure nothing is smoldering and there are no fuel leaks.
- Secure the grill for transportation. Before placing a grill in a vehicle, make sure it is completely cool, clean and securely fastened to prevent tipping or damage.
“These steps can not only keep you safe, but they can also help you avoid costly damage and insurance claims,” Scroggins added.
Hosting a Safer Watch Party at Home
For fans watching the game at home, a backyard gathering can bring the stadium atmosphere to your own property. AAA insurance experts recommend taking a few precautions to help protect guests and property:
- Keep grills away from decorations, structures and overhanging branches.
- Have fire extinguishers nearby and make sure they are easily accessible.
- Keep walkways clear to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
Keep Alcohol and Driving Separate
Alcohol is often part of football-season celebrations, but drinking and driving can have deadly consequences. Every day, approximately 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — about one person every 44 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2024, 11,904 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. These deaths were preventable.
“Drinking and driving is not a game – it’s a deadly combination and a crime,” said Shawn Steward, Public Affairs Manager for AAA Club Alliance in Kansas. “Make your winning drive a sober one and designate a completely sober – not buzzed – driver or make plans for a ride share or cab home before indulging in alcohol. Drunk driving only leads to disaster and tragedy, and it is 100 percent preventable.”
Getting everyone to their destination is a shared goal for AAA and MADD, and one that stretches beyond this football season. AAA and MADD have partnered a 5-year initiative to reduce impaired-driving fatalities by 20% by 2030. By combining education, advocacy and innovative solutions, AAA and MADD are working to save lives.
AAA Tips for Safe and Sober Football Parties
For guests and tailgaters:
- If you plan to drive, don’t drink.
- If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver and give that person your keys. If a designated driver isn’t available, arrange a ride with a sober friend, use a rideshare or cab, or stay where you are until you are sober.
- Always buckle up. A seat belt is your best defense against impaired drivers and other roadway hazards.
For hosts:
- Collect guests’ keys when they arrive and keep them in a designated location.
- Designate a sober “road-wise” host to monitor guests and determine whether they are safe to drive. Return keys only to guests who are not showing signs of impairment.
- Offer plenty of food and water or other non-alcoholic beverages throughout the gathering.
- Consider serving drinks yourself rather than having an open bar. Limit mixing drinks with carbonated beverages, which can increase alcohol absorption.
- Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter and never offer guests “one for the road.”
- Remember that only time makes someone sober — coffee and cold showers do not. It takes approximately one hour for the body to process an average alcoholic drink, whether it is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1½ ounces of liquor. Each contains approximately the same amount of alcohol.
- Watch for signs of impairment. Guests who are sleepy, unusually giddy, overly talkative or uncoordinated may be too impaired to drive. Arrange a ride or invite them to stay overnight. If a guest becomes upset about not being allowed to drive, keep the keys secure and help arrange a safe ride home.
- Keep in mind that judgment and decision-making are among the first abilities affected by alcohol. For some people, even one drink can affect the reflexes and judgment needed to drive safely. It is not a weakness — it is a reality.
- If a guest is not safe to drive, arrange transportation through a cab or rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber.
This football season, AAA encourages fans to enjoy the excitement, support their teams and make responsible choices that help everyone get home safely.
About AAA
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and almost 350,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.
