The Safety Merit Badge is earned by Scouts who make the right choices and take appropriate action.  To earn this badge a Scout must, among other things, explain what it means to be safe, plan for emergencies, and learn about career opportunities in the field.

Online Live Class, Instructor Alim Shabazz, cost $15 per Scout, 15 participants max.  For additional questions, contact Alim Shabazz, (808) 222-2205, alimshabazz@yahoo.com.

Find Merit Badge Worksheet here:  http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/safety.pdf

REQUIREMENTS WITH SUGGESTED STUDY PREPARATION NOTES

1. Explain what safety is and what it means to be safe. Then prepare a notebook to include:

a. Newspaper and other stories, facts, and statistics showing common types and causes of injuries in the home and in the workplace, and how these injuries could be prevented.

b. Newspaper and other stories, facts, and statistics showing common types of crimes and ways to avoid being a crime victim.

c. Facts you have obtained concerning the frequency of accidents and of crimes in your local area.

d. A paragraph or more, written by you, explaining how a serious fire, accident, or crime could change your family life.

e. A list of safe practices and safety devices currently used by your family, such as safety practices used while driving or working and safety devices that prevent injuries or help in an emergency.

Scouts will need to do the work for this requirement prior to the class. Scouts should plan on bringing their completed notebook to the class to share with the counselor and the rest of the class. Only Scout that come to the class with this work completed will have the opportunity to be signed off on this requirement and its components. Be Prepared.

2. Do the following:

a. Using a safety checklist approved by your counselor, make an inspection of your home. Identify any hazards found and explain how these can be corrected.

Scouts may use the inspection checklist in the Safety Merit Badge pamphlet (or make one of their own - which may or may not be acceptable to the counselor) to prepare for sharing their explanation for component 2a during the class. Scouts who have not done the home inspection prior to the class will not be able to have the opportunity of completing this requirement during the class.

b. Review or develop your family's plan of escape in case of fire in your home. As you develop the escape plan with family members, share with them facts about the common causes of fire in the home, such as smoking, cooking, electrical appliances, and candles.

In order to assure the highest potential of completing the 2b component of this requirement, Scouts should bring a note signed by a parent or guardian confirming that they have completed this part of requirement 2 prior to the class.

3. Do the following:

a. Discuss with your counselor how you contribute to the safety of yourself, your family, and your community.

This requirement will be completed in the class, however only Scouts who are able to actively participate in the discussion to the counselor's satisfaction will be signed off on this requirement component.

b. Show your family members how to protect themselves and your home from accidents, fire, burglary, robbery, and assault.

Scouts will need to do this part of the requirement prior to the class. It is strongly recommended that Scouts bring some sort of documentation to validate their completion of this requirement component (a note from your parent or guardian should suffice.

c. Discuss with your counselor the tips for online safety. Explain the steps individuals can take to help prevent identity theft.

d. Discuss with your counselor the three R's of Youth Protection and how to recognize child abuse.

Requirement components 3c and 3d will be discussed during the class, however Scouts should review the Safety merit badge pamphlet prior to the class to ensure they are prepared for the discussion and get signed off on these requirement components.

4. Show your family the exits you would use from different public buildings (such as a theater, municipal building, library, supermarket, shopping center, or your place of worship) in the event of an emergency. Teach your family what to do in the event that they need to take shelter in or evacuate a public place.

Scouts will need to have done this requirement prior to the class. It is recommended that a note from a parent or guardian clearly stating that this requirement has been completed which will help the merit badge counselor verify completion of this requirement.

5. Make an accident prevention plan for five family activities outside the home (at your place of worship, at a theater, on a picnic, at the beach, and while traveling, for example). Each plan should include an analysis of possible hazards, proposed action to correct hazards, and reasons for the correction you propose in each plan.

Time will be allocated during the class to work on this requirement, however Scouts wanting to ensure they have the highest possibility of completing this requirement during the class should prepare ahead of time some examples. Every effort will be made to complete this requirement during the class, however those Scouts coming unprepared or without any examples, may find it difficult to complete.

6. Plan and complete a safety project approved by your counselor for your home, school, place of worship, place of employment, or community.

Scouts may work on this requirement prior to the class and bring their work (with supporting documentation and proof of completion) for review and consideration by the counselor. Scouts attending the class not having done this requirement will not be able to complete this requirement in the class. Scouts should understand that the only projects that the counselor finds acceptable will be considered for sign off on this requirement - review your merit badge pamphlet for ideas.

7. Explain what the National Terrorism Advisory System is and how you would respond to each type of alert.

Scouts will find that reviewing the Safety Merit Badge pamphlet prior to the class will help them easily prepare for the class discussion. Since review of the merit badge pamphlet is required for any merit badge, Scouts will find this requirement easy to prepare for, therefore easy to complete.

8. Learn about three career opportunities in the field of safety. Pick one career and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this choice with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

Scouts should review this requirement and its elements and be prepared to discuss. It is strongly recommended that Scouts bring any notes or supporting documents they may have to help show the counselor that they have prepared for discussion.