New Year's celebrations can be tricky business when the time comes to pop the cork on a bottle of champagne.

The internet is filled with champagne-fail videos showing wannabe sommeliers and bartenders struggling with shattering bottles and wayward corks.

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Each year, hundreds of people suffer serious, potentially blinding eye injuries from fast-flying champagne corks, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

"A warm bottle of champagne and poor technique in removing the cork can really be a dangerous combination," says Andrew Iwach, the group's spokesman, in a safety tips video created by the organization. Champagne corks can fly up to 80.5 km/h on their way out of the bottle, according to the organization.

To avoid disaster this New Year's Eve, follow these tips to safely pop open a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine:

  • Chill the bottle to at least 7.2 C.
  • Hold down the cork with the palm of your hand and remove the wire cage.
  • Place a towel over the top of the bottle and grasp the cork.
  • Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from you and any other people.
  • Keep the bottle at that angle while firmly twisting it and holding the cork to break the seal.
  • Continue until the cork is almost out of the bottle's neck.
  • Counter the cork's force just as it breaks free from the bottle by using slight downward pressure.

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Never:

  • Try to open a warm bottle. The cork is more likely to pop unexpectedly.
  • Use a corkscrew.
  • Use your thumbs to force the cork out.
  • Shake the bottle.

Those with more experience may be tempted to try a technique called sabrage, where the cork is unleashed using a sword, sabre or knife.

This method is not recommended without having a seasoned sommelier on hand to take you through the process — it doesn't end well if not properly done.

Sommerlier Jake Richards from Grape Expectations showed CBC News the steps for safe sabrage.

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Richards, who has seen this method done using ice skates, the bottom of a wine glass and CD cases, suggests:

  • Chilling the bottle.
  • Taking it outdoors.
  • Removing all the foil from the top and neck of the bottle.
  • Loosening the wire cage, bringing it up to the second lip and retying it.
  • Finding the seam running up the bottle's side to the mouth and making a fluid slide along it with a sturdy kitchen knife.
  • After a couple fluid slides, letting your elbow snap straight out to remove the cork fully.

To repeat, this is not something to try for the first time at a New Year's Eve and without some expert guidance.