Science Notebook

Experimenting Safely!

While every one of these experiments has personally tested by the website contributors without incident, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong. Therefore, it always important to keep safety as your number one priority. A good scientist is careful and does not attempt to do anything that could be considered even remotely dangerous without taking every possible safety precaution, and you shouldn’t either! Doing experiments without regard for safety isn’t doing science.

If you decide to attempt any experiment on this site, you should follow these basic commonsense rules:

1. Always read and follow the directions carefully. If you don't understand the directions, get someone who does to help you before you attempt to do anything.

2.Some of the experiments call for the use of fire - either a candle or an alcohol lamp. Others may call for you to use the burner on a stove. Any experiment that involves the use of heat or flame should always be done under adult supervision! Any experiment that involves the use of fire will display the following warning:

CAUTION! Always be careful to follow all safety precautions when using fire, and use with adult supervision only! Keep your candle (or alcohol lamp) in an aluminum pie pan, and keep the flame at least three feet away from anything that can burn, unless otherwise instructed.

3. Some experiments on this site require electricity. The only electricity that you should ever use in these experiments is from a battery, and even then, only as directed. Never ever use any device that plugs into a wall outlet as a source of electricity. Aside from being extremely dangerous (household current can easily kill you!), the electricity from a wall outlet won’t work with these experiments.

4. Also, some of these experiments require scissors, a knife, or other tools. Obviously, if you misuse any tool, you can be seriously hurt. Any experiment that requires the use of any sharp or dangerous object will carry a warning similar to this:

CAUTION! Always use sharp objects such as knives or scissors with adult supervision only! Hold any sharp point away from your body, particularly your eyes.

5. Some experiments found on this site require household chemicals. Unless you are told otherwise, never substitute. Mixing some ordinary household chemicals can produce dangerous combinations with unexpected results. Although the ones called for on this site are perfectly safe if used properly and if all directions are followed, substitutions could be dangerous. Just don’t do it!

6. Finally, using good common sense will go a long way in helping you to avoid any accident or injury.

Now that you know how to experiment safely, check out our Experiments page. And be sure to have fun, but BE SAFE!