Security Colours – Basic 1 Security Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Security colours are special colours used to warn us, inform us, or tell us when something is safe or dangerous. The five main security colours are red, yellow or amber, green, blue and orange. Each colour gives a message, so we can understand it even if we cannot read yet.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Mention security colours and their meanings
• Recognise security colours in everyday life

What are security colours?

Colours are beautiful, and they also give us messages. Safety colours tell us about danger and safety. Security colours are special colours used to warn us, inform us, or tell us when something is safe or dangerous.

What are the five main security colours?

Red: danger, stop, fire

Meaning

• Danger and emergency
• Stop immediately
• Fire equipment
• Prohibition (things we must not do)

Where we see red

• Fire extinguishers
• Stop signs
• Fire alarm buttons
• Traffic lights (stop signal)
• Danger signs
• Emergency stop buttons

What to do: Stop! Be very careful! Stay away!

Yellow or amber: warning, be careful

Meaning

• Caution and warning
• Be alert
• Potential danger
• Get ready to stop

Where we see yellow

• Caution signs
• Wet floor signs
• Traffic lights (get ready)
• School zone signs
• Construction areas

What to do: Slow down! Be careful! Pay attention!

Green: safe, go, emergency exit

Meaning

• Safety and permission
• First aid available
• Safe to go
• Emergency exits

Where we see green

• First aid boxes
• Fire exit signs
• Traffic lights (safe to go)
• Safe assembly points
• Safety equipment locations

What to do: It’s safe! You can go! This way to safety!

Blue: information and instructions

Meaning

• General information
• Mandatory actions (things we must do)
• Instructions to follow

Where we see blue

• Information signs
• Directional signs
• “Wash your hands” signs
• “Wear protective gear” signs

What to do: Follow the instructions! Read the information!

Orange: warning, moderate danger

Meaning

• Moderate risk
• Dangerous equipment
• Be alert and cautious

Where we see orange

• Machinery warnings
• Construction zones
• Hazardous areas
• Moving equipment

What to do: Be very careful! Stay alert!

How do traffic lights use security colours?

Traffic lights are an important example. They use three security colours.

• Red light: Stop! Don’t cross! Danger!
• Yellow light: Get ready! Slow down! Be careful!
• Green light: Safe! You can go now! (But still look both ways!)

Why are security colours important?

• We can understand them even if we can’t read yet
• They work everywhere in the world
• They help us make quick decisions
• They can save our lives

Colour safety rules

1. Red = stop and be very careful
2. Yellow = slow down and watch out
3. Green = safe to go
4. Blue = read and follow instructions
5. Orange = danger! Be alert!

Class activity

• Show different coloured objects
• Let students identify which are security colours
• Discuss what each colour means

Fun memory song

“Red means stop, stay away!
Yellow means careful every day!
Green means safe, go ahead!
Blue means read what’s being said!
Orange says watch out my friend,
Safety colours help till the end!”

Evaluation

1. Red colour means _____
   1. go
   2. danger
   3. play
2. Green colour means _____
   1. stop
   2. danger
   3. safe
3. Yellow colour means _____
   1. be careful
   2. sleep
   3. eat
4. Fire extinguishers are coloured _____
   1. red
   2. purple
   3. pink
5. Traffic light green means _____
   1. stop
   2. it’s safe to go
   3. run very fast

Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-a, 5-b

Assignment

1. Colour a traffic light correctly: draw three circles and colour them red (top), yellow (middle) and green (bottom).
2. Find and name three things at home that are red, yellow or green.
3. Tell your parents what each security colour means.