Skip to main content

Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Safety superhero

Draw your costume, pick your powers and become your very own safety superhero!
Plan a session with this activity

Back to Activities

You’ll need

  • Scrap paper
  • Pens or pencils

Before you begin

  • Make sure any hazards are made safe or supervised and it is safe for everyone to explore your meeting space.

Safety superheroes

  1. Everyone should choose their very own safety superhero name. It’s time to become a safety superhero and go spot some danger!
  2. Everyone needs several sheets of paper and a pen or pencil.
  3. Everyone should fold a few pieces of paper in half, so they look like a tent. They should be able to stand up on their own, like a wet floor sign.
  4. On one half of the paper draw a big exclamation mark, or another symbol to show danger. These are your safety signs.

I spy

  1. Everyone should split into pairs or small groups. Armed with superhero names and safety signs, it’s time for everyone to go safety spotting.
  2. Each group should walk around your meeting space and place a safety sign next to anything that could be dangerous. You should also put a sign next to anything that is there to keep you safe. You might put a safety sign on the cooker, at the top of the stairs, outside the cleaning cupboard, and next to the carbon monoxide or fire alarms.

Make sure to supervise groups as they move around looking for hazards. Splitting your meeting space into different zones for different groups can help stop places getting crowded.

Our work here is done

  1. After all the safety superheroes have done their great work, everyone should come back together as a group.
  2. As a large group, go around your meeting place and look out for safety signs.
  3. Talk about each safety sign and what it has been placed next to. Is this a sign for something dangerous, or something that keeps us safe? Everyone should think about why the safety sign has been put there.
  4. Talk about each safety sign you come across throughout the meeting place, and about anything dangerous or safe that might have been missed.

Safe as houses

  1. At the end of the session, gather the safety signs and give them back out to everyone.

Everyone should take some safety signs home with them and see what dangerous and safe things you find at home. Be your very own safety superhero and see what you can spot.

Common dangers:

  • trip hazards like cables
  • hot things like cookers, boiling water
  • boiler or other gas appliances
  • candles or fire
  • knives and other sharp things
  • stairs
  • tools, especially in a storeroom, shed or garage
  • cleaning products and chemicals
  • anything high up that might fall, like heavy things on shelves or in store cupboards.
  • objects blocking your safe way out

Things that keep us safe:

  • fire alarm
  • carbon monoxide alarm
  • fire extinguisher
  • fire blanket
  • fire exits
  • handrails
  • ramps
  • safety signs and symbols

Reflection

This activity was all about being responsible and courageous. Being a safety superhero is a great way to keep yourself and everyone around you nice and safe, but it can take courage to tell someone when you spot a danger. When was the last time you spotted something dangerous? When was the last time you told an adult about something that might have been a bit scary?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

  • Step it up by asking everyone to come up with ways to make the hazards they spot nice and safe.
  • Make things easier by setting up some prop hazards beforehand to spot and talk about.

Run this activity in a space you’re familiar with and that is suitable for your group.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Beavers Safety Activity Badge
Cubs Home Safety Activity Badge

Take the safety signs home or to another space and look out for hazards there. A safety superhero never has a day off! Click here to see more guidance on carbon monoxide safety.

Learning about dangerous things can sometimes be a little scary. Make sure to allow time for answering questions to help reassure everyone and make them feel safe.