Football season has officially started, and that means tailgaters will be gearing up nationwide. Packing up all the stuff necessary to keep the beer flowing and the food grilling. And nothing ruins a tailgate faster than leaving something important behind.

To keep your party rolling, I spoke to Joe Cahn, the Commissioner of Tailgating (www.tailgating.com), to get a list of the things you need to have before you head over to the stadium. About 12 years ago, Joe sold his house and his cooking school in New Orleans, bought a motor home and set out on the road in search of the best tailgating parties nationwide. So, besides 500,000 miles and a huge fuel bill, he's got a pretty good idea of what you need to have on hand.

Besides a football to toss, and a portable TV to catch the game should some of your party be ticketless, here are some essentials Cahn recommends, that you may not have thought to include:

Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a tailgate. Port-o-lets never have enough, so make sure you’re always prepared when nature calls. Especially if your tailgate includes women. Supply a roll and you're an instant hero.

Portable Power Station
After an entire day of partying in the parking lot, you don’t want to be left in the dark with a dead battery after the game.

Tailgating Check List
Nothing is worse than someone forgetting ice for the cooler, charcoal for the grill or tickets for the game. A check list is a great way to keep organized and to ensure that you’ve packed everything. And it's a good idea to get as much checked off the night before the game.

Restaurant Quality Tools
They’re not as fancy as the barbecue sets that you find in stores, but they work the best and will stand up to the elements to make it through many tailgating seasons. Tools that I like include a stainless steel flexible spatula and stainless steel tongs. You can find them in restaurant supply stores.

Waterproof Oven Mitt
This is an oven mitt finished with a special coating that keeps liquids and steam from penetrating the fabric and seams, so it prevents steam, water and grease burns. It also has extra length to protect your forearm and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Food Storage Cereal Dispenser
With so many people visiting your tailgate, a cereal dispenser is a great way to make sure that your friends' dirty hands don’t go from tossing a football into the peanuts or trail mix. The airtight container also keeps leftover food fresh.

First Aid Kit
Whether there’s a burn at the grill or a rogue football that hits an unexpecting tailgater in the head, having a first aid kit on hand is always a must.

Fire Extinguisher
To ensure that your tailgate doesn’t go up in flames, keep this extinguishing spray on hand to put out any fires and to keep your guests in the clear. Pack a small point and spray model.