Prevention of Blindness Society...
NETWORK NEWS
JANUARY 2001
FY EYE
Tips for Holiday Celebrations
Dangers of Champagne Corks
Champagne and sparkling wines
are often a natural choice for festive occasions. But the celebration can turn
to tragedy if a popping champagne cork hits your eye. A flying champagne cork
is like a small, guided missile and is a potentially- blinding weapon.
To prevent eye injuries,
be sure to open your champagne or sparkling wine properly:
Keep the bottle cold; warm bottles can "pop"
unexpectedly
Carefully remove foil and wire hood while applying pressure
on cork
Place a towel over the entire top and tilt bottle at a
45-degree angle away from yourself and others
Slowly twist cork to break the seal
Keeping the bottle at a 45-degree angle, slowly turn the
cork upward until it is nearly out of the bottle
Using the slight downward pressure of a controlled
"roll," the cork will come completely out with a softened pop
Remember, never, never,
point the champagne cork at anyone’s face, including your own. By not popping
the cork, you save some of the wine’s sparkle and possibly an eye!
© 2001 Prevention of Blindness Society of the Metropolitan Area, Washington, DC. All Rights Reserved.