Every holiday tends to be accompanied with a few unique safety concerns. In the case of New Year’s Eve: beware of the popping champagne cork.
According to the American Academy of Opthalmology a cork can shoot out of a champagne bottle at up to 50 miles per hour.
- 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. Shaking increases your chances of eye injury.
- To open the bottle safely, 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 any bystanders.
- 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.
- Never use a corkscrew to open a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine.
Source: https://www.aao.org
And one other thing to keep in mind: a dramatic popping cork like they have in the movies will undoubtedly lead to a lot of spilled champagne. Open the bottle carefully so you can enjoy what’s inside!