Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 4

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify common safety hazards.
• Know what to do in an emergency.
• Practice safety skills like crossing the road.
• Understand why safety rules are important.
• List important emergency numbers.

Lesson summary

This week, we're diving into an important part of taking care of ourselves and others: understanding Safety Rules at Home and at School. In South Africa, our homes and schools are where we spend most of our time. Knowing how to stay safe in these places is not just about avoiding accidents; it's about creating a comfortable and secure environment where we can learn, play, and grow. We'll be looking at specific hazards and how to avoid them, ensuring we're all aware and responsible members of our community. From preventing fires in our homes to understanding emergency procedures at school, this lesson will equip you with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself and those around you.

Lesson notes

What are Safety Rules? Safety rules are guidelines that help us avoid accidents and injuries. They are put in place to protect us from harm and keep us safe in different environments, like our homes and schools.

Safety Hazards at Home: A hazard is anything that can cause harm. At home, some common hazards include: Electrical Hazards: Damaged cords, overloaded outlets, and playing with electricity can lead to electric shocks or fires.

Example: Using a hairdryer near water in the bathroom is very dangerous because water conducts electricity.

Fire Hazards: Leaving a stove unattended, playing with matches, or not having a smoke detector can lead to fires.

Example: Leaving a pot of oil on the stove while you go outside to play can cause a fire to start very quickly.

Poisonous Substances: Cleaning products, medicines, and some garden chemicals can be poisonous if swallowed or touched improperly.

Example: Leaving bleach (a cleaning product) where a younger child can reach it is dangerous because they might think it's a drink.

Sharp Objects: Knives, scissors, and broken glass can cause cuts and injuries if not handled carefully.

Example: Running with scissors in your hand is dangerous because you could trip and fall, causing a serious injury.

Slip and Fall Hazards: Wet floors, loose rugs, and cluttered walkways can cause slips and falls.

Example: Spilling water on the kitchen floor and not cleaning it up immediately can cause someone to slip and fall.

Safety Hazards at School: Similar hazards can be present at school.

Playground Equipment: Using playground equipment incorrectly, like climbing on top of slides or pushing others off swings, can lead to injuries.

Classroom Hazards: Sharp pencils, scissors, and science equipment can be dangerous if not used properly. Cluttered walkways and spills are also hazards.

Corridors and Stairways: Running in corridors and on stairways can lead to collisions and falls.

Traffic Around School: Cars and buses near the school entrance can be dangerous if we don’t pay attention when crossing the road.

Bullying: Bullying is also a safety hazard. It can lead to emotional and physical harm.

Emergency Situations and Responses: Knowing what to do in an emergency can save lives.

Fire: At Home: Shout "Fire!" to alert everyone. Evacuate the house immediately using a safe escape route. Call the fire department (10177) from a neighbour's house or cell phone.

At School: Follow the fire drill procedures. Evacuate the building calmly and quickly, and gather at the designated assembly point.

Injury: At Home or School: Tell an adult immediately. Do not try to move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger. Keep the injured person calm and comfortable until help arrives.

Poisoning: At Home or School: Tell an adult immediately. Do not try to make the person vomit unless instructed by a doctor or poison control center. Provide the adult with information about what was swallowed (e.g., the name of the cleaning product).

South African Poison Information Centre: 0861 555 777 Practical Safety Skills: Crossing the Road Safely: Look left, look right, and look left again before crossing the road. Use pedestrian crossings whenever possible.

Identifying Poisonous Substances: Learn to recognize the warning labels on cleaning products and other potentially poisonous substances. Never taste or smell unknown substances.

Using Sharp Objects Safely: Always cut away from your body. Use scissors and knives only under adult supervision.

Importance of Following Safety Rules: Following safety rules prevents accidents and injuries. It keeps us and others safe and healthy.

Emergency Contact Information: Make sure you know your parents' phone numbers, the address of your home, and the emergency numbers for police (10111), ambulance (10177), and fire department (10177). Keep this information in a safe place, like near the phone. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Name two potential fire hazards in a kitchen and explain how to prevent them.

Solution: Hazard 1: Leaving a pot of oil unattended on the stove.

Prevention: Never leave a pot of oil unattended on the stove. If you need to leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.

Hazard 2: Overloading electrical outlets with too many appliances.

Prevention: Use a power strip with a surge protector. Don't plug too many appliances into one outlet, as this can cause the wires to overheat and start a fire.

Question 2: You find a bottle of cleaning liquid under the sink without a label. What should you do?

Solution: Do not touch or smell the liquid. Tell an adult immediately. Unlabeled containers could contain dangerous substances. The adult can properly identify and safely dispose of the liquid.

Question 3: You are playing on the playground and see someone pushing another child off a swing. What should you do?

Solution: Tell a teacher or other adult immediately. Pushing someone off a swing is dangerous and could cause serious injury.