Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A fourth grader in safety goggles and an apron stands at a kitchen table with a clear cup of water, a ruler and a notebook, with a bright window behind.

Science / All lessons / The Scientist’s Toolkit

Safe and Careful

Safety gear and safety habits for real labs.

Lesson 1 of 40

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Safe and Careful

Dana stands at the stock tank behind her grandpa's barn. She wants to scoop pond water and look at it under a hand lens. The water is green and smells a little. She slides on her work gloves first. Then she ties back her hair.

Real scientists do this every day. A lab can hold glass, heat, sharp tools and liquids that sting. Most days nothing goes wrong. That is because people plan for what could go wrong. Safety is not a worry. It is a habit.

Safety gear protects one part of you. Goggles guard eyes. Gloves guard hands. An apron guards clothes and skin. Safe habits protect everyone in the room. Let us learn the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Safety Check Walk

    20 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • Notebook and pencil
    • Safety goggles if you have them
    • A kitchen or classroom
    • A paper towel
    • A parent or teacher

    Do this

    1. Walk around the room with an adult and look for five risks.
    2. Write each risk in your notebook.
    3. Next to each risk, write the gear or habit that would help.
    4. Put on the goggles and tie back long hair.
    5. Practice wiping up a pretend spill with the paper towel.
    6. Tell the adult what you would say if you broke a glass.
    Write or draw: A two-column table. Left column says Risk. Right column says What keeps me safe.

    Watch for: Notice that one risk can need more than one answer. A hot pan needs a mitt and a careful walk.

    Safety: Do this walk with an adult and touch nothing hot, sharp or electric.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Wear gear that fits the risk.

    Goggles do not help your hands, and gloves do not help your eyes.

    Rule 2Never taste or sniff lab materials.

    Even safe looking things can make you sick.

    Rule 3Tell an adult at once.

    A small spill gets big when it waits.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    goggles
    Eye covers that protect from splashes and flying bits.
    risk
    Something that could cause harm.
    habit
    Something you do the same safe way every time.
    safety gear
    Clothing or tools that protect your body.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know when gear is the right gear for a job?
    • What safety rules does your family follow in the kitchen or on the farm?
    Did you know

    Real safety goggles are made of strong clear plastic and seal against the face. Regular glasses do not guard against splashes from the side.

    Someone who does this

    A lab technician wears safety gear every day while testing samples.

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