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Why we learn safety at home
Every home has many things that can hurt us if we are not careful. These include sharp objects, hot stoves, electricity, medicines and slippery floors. Learning safety helps children protect themselves and others. It also teaches children to make good choices, like asking an adult before using a kitchen stove or a sharp tool.
Safety is about preventing accidents. Simple rules such as keeping floors dry, storing medicines safely, and switching off appliances when not in use reduce risks. Knowing what to do in emergencies — for example, how to call for help or how to leave the house safely — helps keep everyone calm and safe. Families can talk about rules and practise them together. When children understand safety, they become confident and responsible.
How to use this unit
Read each topic, practise the examples, and draw the safety pictures. Discuss the rules with an adult at home. Try short activities like making a list of dangers you see and suggesting safer choices.
Common dangers in the kitchen
The kitchen has hot pots, knives, burning stoves, and slippery floors. Many accidents happen while cooking or carrying hot food. Children must not play near the stove or touch hot pans. Adults and older children should keep handles turned away and use oven mitts when handling hot items.
Simple safety steps
Keep knives and sharp tools in a drawer or at a height where small children cannot reach them. Store cleaning chemicals in closed cupboards. Do not leave hot oil unattended as it may catch fire. Teach children to stand back when someone is cooking and to ask for help if they need something from the stove.
Safe habits
Always switch off the gas or electric stove after use. Keep a wet cloth away from hot oil and know where the fire extinguisher or a tightly fitting lid is to cover a small fire. Make sure everyone knows not to pour water on an oil fire.
Why electricity is dangerous
Electricity gives us light and power, but it can shock or burn if not used correctly. Wet hands, damaged wires, and broken plugs increase the risk of electric shock. Children must not touch sockets or play with plugs.
How to stay safe
Never use electrical appliances near water. Keep cords away from places where they can be pulled. Check for frayed wires and broken plugs; tell an adult if you see them. Do not put fingers or metal objects into sockets. Use only one plug per socket and do not overload sockets with many connections.
Actions in case of an electric shock
If someone gets an electric shock, do not touch them directly. Switch off the power supply first or use a dry wooden stick to move the person away from the source, and call an adult. Call emergency services if the person is not breathing or is unconscious.
How fires start
Fires can begin in many small ways: a forgotten pan on the stove, a candle left near curtains, an electrical short circuit, or matches and lighters left where children can reach them. A small flame can grow quickly and fill a room with heat and smoke. Smoke is often more dangerous than flames because it makes breathing difficult and can cause people to become disoriented.
Prevention at home
Never leave cooking unattended, and keep tea towels, paper and plastic away from the stove. Use electric appliances carefully and switch them off after use. Keep matches and lighters locked away. Teach children that candles and diyas must be placed on stable, non-flammable surfaces and not left alone. Check furniture covers and curtains to make sure they are not too close to heaters or lamps.
What to do if a fire starts
If a small pan fire begins, turn off the heat and cover the pan with a metal lid to starve the fire of oxygen. Do not throw water on oil fires. If a larger fire spreads, leave the room at once, close doors behind you to slow the spread, and go to the outdoor meeting point. Stay low under smoke, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth, and check doors for heat with the back of your hand before opening them.
Family practice and tools
Plan two escape routes from each room and practise a family fire drill so everyone knows where to go. Keep a simple fire extinguisher or bucket of sand in the kitchen and know how to use it. Teach children how and when to call the fire service from a safe phone, and keep emergency numbers near the telephone.
Why medicines and chemicals are risky
Medicines and household cleaning products help us stay healthy and keep our home clean, but they can be dangerous if taken by the wrong person or used wrongly. Bright packaging, sweet flavours, or colourful liquids may attract young children who think they are food or juice. Some chemicals can burn the skin, make a person sick, or cause breathing problems if mixed or swallowed.
How to store and label safely
Always keep medicines and chemicals in their original containers with clear labels. Store them in a locked cupboard or high shelf that children cannot reach. Keep medicines separate from food and never put them in cups or bottles where a child might drink them. Replace lids tightly and clean up any spills right away. Make a list of all important medicines and where they are stored, and give this list to adults in the home.
Safe use and handling
Only take medicines when an adult gives them and follow the dose instructions exactly. Do not share medicines meant for someone else. When using cleaning products, wear gloves and open windows for fresh air if the product smells strong. Never mix two cleaning liquids because some combinations produce harmful gases; for example, bleach mixed with ammonia gives off dangerous fumes.
What to do in case of poisoning
If someone swallows a chemical or medicine by accident, remain calm and call an adult and the local poison helpline immediately. Do not try to make the person vomit unless a professional tells you to. Keep the container to show the doctor or ambulance staff. If chemical splashes into eyes, rinse the eye with clean water for several minutes and get medical help.
Bathroom risks
Bathrooms are small places with water, hard surfaces and sometimes electrical items nearby. Floors become slippery when wet, taps can release very hot water, and small items like soap or shampoo bottles may be left on edges where they fall. Young children can drown in very little water, so they must never be left alone in a bath. Electrical appliances such as hairdryers should be kept far from sinks and bathtubs.
How to reduce bathroom accidents
Use a non-slip mat inside and outside the bathtub to prevent slipping. Always check the water temperature before a child steps into a bath to avoid scalding. Store razors, medicines and shampoos in closed cupboards high above a child’s reach. Keep the bathroom door unlocked if a very young child is taking a bath so an adult can enter quickly if needed. Teach children to sit while bathing and not to run or push in the bathroom.
Play area hazards and safe design
Play areas should be tidy and free from objects that can cause trips, such as scattered toys or loose rugs. Choose toys that are suitable for the child’s age and check for small parts that could be swallowed. Sharp edges on furniture can be softened with covers. If children play near windows or balconies, ensure there are secure grills or locks and supervise any play that is close to heights.
Good routines and supervision
Create a special play corner with soft flooring or mats and a toy box for small parts to keep them out of reach of toddlers. Teach children to put toys back after play and to ask for help when an adult tool or kitchen toy is needed. Supervision is the most important safety measure: whenever children are in the bathroom or playing near risky areas, an adult should watch them. Regularly check play equipment and repair or remove broken items to keep the area safe.
Who is safe and who is not
Most people are kind, but children should be careful with strangers. A stranger is someone you do not know well. It is important to follow family rules about answering the door and talking to visitors. Never open the door when you are alone if your parents ask you not to.
Rules for visitors
Always ask an adult before giving any information or opening the door. Do not go anywhere with someone you do not know, even if they offer gifts. Teach children to use a safe phrase agreed with family so that only trusted people can pick them up.
Household rules
Every family should make clear rules such as where children may play, who may give medicine, and when children can use appliances. Display simple written rules and review them regularly. Children should know which grown-ups are allowed to make decisions for them and which are not.
What is first aid
First aid means the simple care you give someone who is hurt or sick before a doctor comes. It helps stop bleeding, prevents infection, and keeps the person comfortable. Basic first aid can save lives and reduce the severity of injuries.
Simple first aid steps
For small cuts, wash the wound with clean water, press gently to stop bleeding, and cover with a clean bandage. For burns, cool the area with running water for several minutes and do not put oil or butter on it. If someone faints, lay them on their back, raise their feet slightly and loosen tight clothing. Always call an adult and, if needed, emergency services.
Prepare for emergencies
Keep a small first aid kit at home with plasters, bandages, antiseptic wipes and scissors. Learn important phone numbers and practise how to explain where you live. Stay calm, check for danger, and then help the injured person or call for help.