Watch That Champagne Cork – or Rather, Don’t!

At this time of year there’s likely to be a number of champagne corks popping. Though it may be fun to have loud pop and watch the foamy stuff spill everywhere, that’s a sorry way to enjoy champagne. Every year at this season partygoers end up in the ER after being hit in the eye by an errant cork, and the doctors have to try and save their sight.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has helped develop an educational article and video on the risks to someone’s eye involved when a bottle of champagne is opened. Here are the tips they want to pass on:

Ensure the bottle is chilled before opening, to a least 45⁰ Fahrenheit.

Don’t shake the bottle!

Hold down the cork with your palm while removing the wire. Then point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from everyone.

Put a towel over the top of the bottle and grasp the cork

Twist the bottle while holding the cork, to break the seal. Continue twisting until the cork is almost out. Apply counter pressure to the cork as it breaks free from the bottle.

Never use a corkscrew!

A cork can fly up to 50 miles-per-hour, unless ‘restrained’. So, remember: achieving a very loud pop may not be worth it.