Avoid injury when popping open Champagne bottles to ring in New Year’s.

Chill sparkling wine and Champagne to 45 degrees or colder before opening. The cork of a warm bottle is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
Don’t shake the bottle. Shaking increases the speed at which the cork leaves the bottle thereby increasing your chances of severe eye injury.
Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and any bystanders and hold down the cork with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood on the bottle.
Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
Twist the bottle while holding the cork at a 45 degree angle to break the seal. Counter the force of the cork using downward pressure as the cork breaks free from the bottle.