diff --git a/e2e/cucumber/support/hooks.ts b/e2e/cucumber/support/hooks.ts
index 3c10f1d..6fb4f14 100644
--- a/e2e/cucumber/support/hooks.ts
+++ b/e2e/cucumber/support/hooks.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,31 @@ if (fs.existsSync(envDevPath)) {
   require('dotenv').config({ path: envDevPath, override: true });
 }
 
+// Database safety check - prevent tests from running against production
+function isProductionDatabase(): boolean {
+  const dbUrl = process.env.DATABASE_URL || '';
+  return dbUrl.includes('euchre_camp') && !dbUrl.includes('_dev') && !dbUrl.includes('test');
+}
+
+if (isProductionDatabase()) {
+  console.error('');
+  console.error('='.repeat(80));
+  console.error('CRITICAL ERROR: Cucumber tests are attempting to run against PRODUCTION database!');
+  console.error('='.repeat(80));
+  console.error('');
+  console.error('Current DATABASE_URL:', process.env.DATABASE_URL);
+  console.error('');
+  console.error('Tests MUST run against a development/test database.');
+  console.error('');
+  console.error('To fix this:');
+  console.error('  1. Set DATABASE_URL to a dev/test database');
+  console.error('  2. Or run: npm run test:acceptance (which uses Playwright tests)');
+  console.error('');
+  console.error('Aborting test execution to prevent data corruption.');
+  console.error('');
+  process.exit(1);
+}
+
 /**
  * Before all scenarios: Launch browser
  */