Safety First Lesson Plan Safety First! A Complete Guide
Instructional Lesson Plan • Tier 1 Inclusive Setting
Duration 120 MIN
Why This Lesson?
This lesson is crucial for empowering students with practical knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others in various environments, fostering independence and confidence.
Audience
High School Students (Tier 1). Includes accommodations for a 22-year-old student with autism (visual supports, processing time, simplified language).
Objective
Students will be able to identify and apply safety measures in and outside the home, including the workplace, to enhance their personal safety and well-being.
Teacher Preparation
Review Materials: Slide Deck, Warm Up, Scenarios, Checklist, Matching Game, Discussion Prompts, Action Plan, Quiz, Test, and Answer Key.Printing: Print Home Safety Checklist (1 per student), Workplace Matching Game (1 set per pair/group), and Quizzes/Tests.Tech Check: Ensure projector/audio is ready for the Slide Deck.Accommodations: Prepare a visual schedule for the student with autism. Have sensory tools available if needed.
Approach Interactive, Visual, Hands-on
Prep Time 30 Minutes
Instructional Sequence
10 MIN
Warm-up
Spot the Hazard!
Display the "Spot the Hazard" image. Students identify potential dangers. Use specific praise for participation.
15 MIN
Direct
Intro to Safety (Slides & Script)
Use the Slide Deck and Companion Script. Cover home, community, and workplace basics. Allow extra processing time for the student with autism.
25 MIN
Practice
Home Safety Deep Dive
Read "Stay Safe Stories" (Scenarios). Discuss key points. Complete the "Home Shield Checklist" worksheet. Provide individual support where needed.
20 MIN
Game
Workplace Safety Fun
Facilitate "Work Wise Match Up" in pairs. Pair the student with autism with a supportive peer.
20 MIN
Discuss
Community Safety Exploration
Use "Street Smart Talk" prompts. Cover traffic, strangers, and emergencies. Allow drawing/writing as an alternative for verbal participation.
15 MIN
Apply
Putting it into Practice
Students create a "Safety Shield Plan" for a chosen scenario. Use sentence starters for accommodations.
15 MIN
Assess
Assessment & Wrap-Up
Administer "Quick Check Quiz" or "Final Shield Test". Review answers as a class to clear up misconceptions.
Safety First Slide Deck Safety First!
A Complete Guide to Staying Secure
"Today, we'll learn how to keep ourselves safe at home, outside, and at work. Because YOU are important!"
Warm Up: Spot the Hazard!
Overloaded Outlet
Stove Left On
Spill on Floor
Sharp Tools Out
What else do you see that might be unsafe?
Look at the "room" to the left.
1 Identify 3 things that look dangerous.
2 Tell a partner how you would fix one.
Where Do We Need Safety?
AT HOME
Keeping your living space safe for you and others.
OUTSIDE
Staying safe in your community and on the streets.
AT WORK
Being safe on the job and following workplace rules.
Safety is everywhere!
Home Sweet Safe Home
Kitchen Safety
Fire, sharp objects, and hot surfaces.
Bathroom Safety
Wet floors, electricity near water.
General Safety
Smoke detectors & emergency exits.
"Your home should be the safest place in the world. But it takes awareness to keep it that way!"
Out & About: Staying Safe
Road Safety
Crossing streets, looking both ways, and staying on sidewalks.
Stranger Safety
Knowing what to do if approached by someone you don't know.
Weather
Knowing when to seek shelter from storms, heat, or cold.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times!
Working Wonders:
Workplace Safety
01
Understand Your Job: Know your tasks and how to do them safely.
02
Equipment Safety: Use tools and machines exactly as instructed.
03
Emergency Procedures: Know where the exits and first-aid kits are.
Safety is everyone's responsibility at work!
Stay Safe, Stay Smart!
Be Aware
Notice what is around you.
Ask Questions
If you're unsure, ask!
Report Dangers
Tell a trusted adult.
Have a Plan
Know your emergency steps.
YOUR SAFETY
Hazard Hunter Warm Up HAZARD HUNTER
Warm Up Activity
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Look at the image on the screen (or the list below). Find 5 potential safety hazards. Write down what you see and how it could be dangerous.
1
What is the hazard?
Why is it dangerous?
2
3
4
5
Bonus Brainstorm
Choose one hazard from above. How would you fix it?
Stay Safe Stories Stay Safe Stories
Real-World Safety Scenarios
Reading about safety helps us prepare for real-life situations. Read each story below and think about what the character did right or what they could do better.
Scenario 1: The Kitchen Spill
HOME SAFETY
Marcus was making pasta for dinner. While draining the water, he splashed some on the floor near the stove. He was hungry and wanted to eat, so he thought, "I'll just clean that up after I finish my meal." A few minutes later, his sister walked into the kitchen wearing socks and didn't see the water. She slipped and almost fell into the corner of the table.
Discussion Point: Why is "I'll do it later" a dangerous thought in the kitchen?
Scenario 2: The Shortcut
COMMUNITY SAFETY
Elena was walking home from the library. It was starting to get dark. She usually takes the main road with streetlights, but she was tired and wanted to get home fast. She decided to take a shortcut through a dark alleyway between two buildings. Halfway through, she realized she couldn't see the ground well and her phone battery was at 2%. She felt nervous and started to run.
Discussion Point: What were the three safety mistakes Elena made?
Scenario 3: The Heavy Box
WORKPLACE SAFETY
Sam started a new job at a grocery store. His manager asked him to move some heavy boxes from the delivery truck to the storage room. Sam wanted to show he was a hard worker, so he tried to lift two big boxes at once. He felt a sharp pain in his back right away. He didn't want to complain on his first day, so he kept working, but the pain got worse and worse.
Discussion Point: Who should Sam have talked to when he felt the pain?
Which scenario felt the most real to you? Why? Home Shield Checklist HOME SHIELD CHECKLIST
Is Your Living Space Safe?
Safety First! Series
Student Name: __________________________
Date: ________________
Use this checklist to inspect your "Home Shield." A safe home prevents accidents and keeps everyone healthy. Check the box if the item is present and safe!
1. The Kitchen
Stove and oven are clear of towels or papers.
Knives are stored safely in a block or drawer.
Floors are dry and free of any spills.
2. Fire & Detection
Smoke detectors are on every floor and tested monthly.
There is a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.
Carbon monoxide detector is installed and working.
3. Electrical Safety
Outlets are not "overloaded" with too many plugs.
Cords are in good condition (no frayed or bare wires).
Top Priority Fix
If you found one thing that WASN'T checked, what is it and when will you fix it?
Work Wise Match Up Work Wise Match Up
Workplace Safety Card Game
How to Play:
Cut out the cards below. Mix them up and place them face down. Turn over two cards at a time. Match the Safety Hazard with its Safe Solution.
Hazard
Wet Floor / Spill
Solution
Put up a "Wet Floor" sign and clean it up immediately.
Hazard
Working in a Construction Area
Solution
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like a hard hat.
Hazard
Moving Heavy Boxes
Solution
Bend your knees and lift with your legs, or use a dolly.
Hazard
Smelling Smoke at Work
Solution
Pull the fire alarm and follow the emergency exit plan.
Hazard
Frayed Electric Cord
Solution
Unplug the cord and report it to your supervisor.
Street Smart Talk Street Smart Talk
Community Safety Discussion Prompts
How to Use:
Use these prompts to lead a class discussion or talk in small groups. For the student with autism, allow for written or drawn responses if they prefer.
1
Traffic Safety
"When you are walking to the bus stop or a store, what are three things you do to make sure you cross the street safely?"
Tip: Talk about crosswalks, traffic lights, and looking both ways.
2
Emergency Plan
"If you got lost in a crowded place like a mall or a stadium, who is a 'safe' person you could ask for help?"
Tip: Discuss security guards, employees with nametags, or police officers.
3
Tech Safety
"Why is it dangerous to walk while looking at your phone or wearing noise-canceling headphones?"
Tip: Focus on situational awareness and hearing cars or warnings.
4
Personal Space
"If a stranger approaches you and asks for your address or personal information, what is your plan to stay safe?"
Tip: Talk about saying "No," walking away, and finding a trusted adult.
Visual Support Option:
Call 911
Find Police
Stop & Wait
Safety Shield Plan Safety Shield Plan
ACTION ACTIVITY
Name: __________________________
Date: ________________
1 Choose Your Scenario
Pick one situation you want to be prepared for:
At Home
In My Community
At Work
2 Identify the Hazard
Example: "A fire starts in the kitchen" or "Someone I don't know is following me."
3 My Safety Action Plan
Fill in the blanks to complete your plan. (You can also draw your steps!)
The first thing I will do is...
If I need help, I will talk to...
I will know I am safe when...
Safety Shield Reminder
"It is always okay to ask for help. A safe plan means you don't have to worry alone!"
Quick Check Quiz Quick Check Quiz
Safety Knowledge
Name: __________________________
Date: ________________
1. Which of these is a potential hazard in a kitchen?
A towel hanging on a chair far from the stove
A wet spill on the floor that hasn't been wiped up
A closed cabinet full of plastic containers
2. What should you do if a smoke detector starts chirping or beeping at home?
Ignore it because it is probably a mistake
Cover it with a piece of tape to stop the noise
Tell a trusted adult so they can check the batteries
3. When crossing the street, it is SAFEST to walk:
Diagonally through the middle of the intersection
In a marked crosswalk when the signal says "Walk"
As fast as possible while looking at your phone
4. If you see something unsafe at your job (like a broken machine), you should:
Try to fix it yourself even if you aren't trained
Report it to your supervisor or manager immediately
Keep using it but be very, very careful
Final Shield Test Final Shield Test
TOTAL SCORE: ____ / 100
Student: __________________________
Date: ________________
Section A: Safety Awareness
1. What is the first thing you should do if you discover a fire at work?
Finish your task quickly
Call your parents to tell them
Alert others and follow the exit plan
Hide under a desk
2. Which safety tool is used to detect invisible, odorless gas in your home?
Smoke Detector
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Thermostat
Fire Extinguisher
Section B: True or False
It is safe to use an electric toaster right next to a sink full of water.
TRUE
FALSE
You should always look left, then right, then left again before crossing.
TRUE
FALSE
At work, "PPE" stands for Personal Protective Equipment.
TRUE
FALSE
Section C: Scenario Application
6. List TWO things you can do to stay safe when walking home at night.
7. Describe why it is important to have an emergency exit plan for your home.
End of Safety Test. Please double-check your answers.
Safety Shield Master Key Master Answer Key
Safety First! Series • Teacher Resource
Quick Check Quiz Answers
A wet spill on the floor that hasn't been wiped up
Tell a trusted adult so they can check the batteries
In a marked crosswalk when the signal says "Walk"
Report it to your supervisor or manager immediately
Final Shield Test Answers
Section A: Multiple Choice
1. Alert others and follow the exit plan2. Carbon Monoxide Detector
Section B: True or False
3. FALSE (Electric appliances should never be near water)4. TRUE5. TRUE
Section C: Scenario Application (Samples)
6. List TWO things to stay safe walking at night:
Acceptable answers: Stay in well-lit areas, walk with a friend, stay alert (no headphones), tell someone where you are going, carry a phone.
7. Importance of an emergency exit plan:
Acceptable answers: To ensure everyone knows how to get out quickly/safely; to avoid panic; to have a designated meeting spot; to ensure nobody is left inside during a fire.
Safety Script Companion Safety Script Companion
Teacher Instructional Guide for Slide Deck
Slide 1
INTRO
"Welcome everyone! Today we are talking about something very important: Safety. Safety isn't just about following rules; it's about making sure you can live your best life without getting hurt. Today we will look at how to protect ourselves at home, in the community, and at work."
Accommodation Tip
Refer to the visual schedule. Point to 'Introduction' to show where we are in the lesson.
Slide 2
WARM UP
"Let's look at this room on the screen. It looks a bit messy, doesn't it? But more than messy, some things are dangerous. Who can find one thing that might cause an accident? Marcus, what do you see?"
Discussion Question
"Why do you think people leave hazards like this in their homes? Is it because they want to get hurt, or is it because they aren't paying attention?"
Slide 3
WHERE?
"Safety isn't just for one place. We need to be 'Safety Detectives' everywhere we go. We'll focus on the big three: Home, Outside, and Work. Does anyone here have a part-time job yet? Or maybe you volunteer? Safety rules apply there too!"
Accommodation Tip
Allow for 5-10 seconds of silence after asking the question about jobs to allow for processing time.
Slides 4-6
DEEP DIVE
Key Discussion points:
Kitchen: Discuss "Turn pot handles in" so they don't get bumped.Out & About: Discuss the "No-Go" rule with strangers and the "Phone Down, Eyes Up" rule for streets.Workplace: Emphasize that it is always okay—and actually required—to report a broken tool or a spill.
"Remember: Being safe is a skill. Like any skill, you get better at it the more you practice noticed things around you."
