Simple Health and Safety Rules Every Child Should Know

Keeping children safe is one of every family’s biggest concerns. Many accidents do not happen because children have never learned about safety. Instead, they happen because someone takes a chance, ignores a warning, or crosses a basic safety line.

Electricity is an essential part of everyday life, but using it incorrectly can turn it into a serious hazard and lead to electric shocks, fires, and other dangerous consequences. Children should never touch electrical appliances, switches, or outlets with wet hands, and they should never use a wet cloth to wipe an appliance that is currently plugged in or running. Metal objects such as wires, paper clips, or pencil leads should never be inserted into electrical outlets. Children should not connect electrical wires themselves or overload a power strip by plugging in too many high-powered appliances. They should never take apart, repair, or open the back of an electrical appliance on their own. Clothes should not be hung on electrical wires, and wires should not be placed where they can be crushed by heavy objects or caught in doors. Children should stay away from fallen power lines and never climb utility poles or transformers.

Before using an electrical appliance, children should check that the cord and plug are in good condition. If they notice damage, aging, or exposed wires, they should tell a parent immediately so the appliance or cord can be replaced. Hands should always be dry when using electrical equipment. When plugging something in, children should hold the plug itself rather than pulling on the cord. After using an appliance, the power should be switched off and the plug should be removed, especially for items such as chargers, electric blankets, and hair dryers. Before going to bed or leaving home, parents and children should check that electrical appliances have been turned off.

If someone receives an electric shock, never pull the person away with your bare hands. Cut off the power immediately by switching off the electricity or unplugging the appliance. If that is not possible, use a dry wooden stick, plastic rod, or another insulating object to move the wire away. Then call 120 for emergency medical assistance.

Children should also understand the rules for using electricity at school. They should not touch electrical outlets, switches, projectors, computers, or other equipment in the classroom without permission. High-powered appliances such as electric water heaters, electric cooking pots, or hair dryers should not be used in classrooms or dormitories unless the school allows them. During science experiments, students should follow the teacher’s instructions carefully and should never turn equipment on or off without permission. If an appliance starts smoking, smells unusual, or becomes unusually hot, students should tell a teacher immediately rather than trying to handle it themselves.

Food safety is another important part of protecting children’s health. What children eat can have a direct effect on their well-being, and some foods that appear harmless may carry hidden risks. Children should never eat raw or cold food that has spoiled, developed an unusual smell, or become moldy. They should not drink untreated water or beverages from unknown sources. Foods without a production date, quality certification, or manufacturer information should be avoided. Children should also avoid snacks and food sold by unlicensed vendors outside school gates when hygiene conditions cannot be guaranteed. Expired food and food with damaged or swollen packaging should not be eaten. Children should never pick and eat wild fruits or mushrooms because many wild plants can be poisonous. Medicines, cleaning products, cosmetics, and similar items must never be treated as food, and parents should keep these products where children cannot reach them.

Washing hands before meals and after using the toilet is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent intestinal infections. When eating in the school cafeteria, children should aim for a balanced combination of meat and vegetables, avoid being overly picky about food, take only as much food as they need, and avoid waste. Fruits should be washed and peeled before eating, and unwashed fruits and vegetables should be avoided. Raw and cooked foods should be stored and handled separately to prevent cross-contamination. Autumn is also a season when foods such as chestnuts and persimmons are commonly available, so children should eat them in moderation to avoid digestive discomfort. Children should drink enough water every day, preferably plain water, and should avoid or limit