Sources of Insecurity – Basic 1 Security Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Sources of insecurity are places, things or situations that can cause danger or harm to us. Examples include old broken buildings, open gutters, construction sites, dark lonely streets and bodies of water without adult supervision. Students should stay away from them and tell an adult at once when they see something dangerous.

Behavioural objectives

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

• Mention sources of insecurity
• Identify unsafe places
• Say why each place or thing is dangerous
• Say what to do when they see a dangerous place or thing

What are sources of insecurity?

Some places and things are not safe for us. We must learn to recognise them and stay away.

Sources of insecurity are places, things or situations that can cause danger or harm to us. They are also called dangerous places and things.

Which places are dangerous to us?

Old dilapidated (broken) buildings

• The roof can fall on you
• The walls can collapse
• Broken glass can cut you
• Snakes and dangerous animals may hide there

What to do: Never play near or inside old buildings.

Filling stations without fire extinguishers

• Petrol can easily catch fire
• Fire extinguishers help put out fire quickly
• Without them, small fires become big fires
• Many people can get hurt

What to do: Tell an adult if you notice this.

Open gutters (drainage)

• You can fall inside and get hurt
• Dirty water can make you sick
• You can drown if it is deep
• Sharp objects may be inside

What to do: Walk carefully and do not play near gutters.

Dark lonely streets

• Bad people can hide in dark places
• You can get lost easily
• You might trip and fall
• No one will hear you if you need help

What to do: Do not walk alone in dark places.

Broken playground equipment

• Swings with broken chains can fall
• Broken slides can have sharp edges
• Rusty equipment can cut you

What to do: Tell your teacher and do not play on broken equipment.

Construction sites

• Heavy objects can fall
• Deep holes you can fall into
• Dangerous tools and machines

What to do: Stay far away and do not enter construction sites.

Bodies of water without adult supervision

• Rivers, ponds and swimming pools are bodies of water
• You can drown, even if the water looks calm
• Water can be deeper than it looks
• The edges can be wet and slippery, so you can slip in
• A small child can drown in only a little water

What to do: Never go near water alone. Go near water only when an adult is with you.

What other things are sources of insecurity?

• Exposed electrical wires
• Unattended fires
• Broken fences
• Steep slopes without railings
• Busy roads without traffic lights

What should you do?

1. Stay away from dangerous places
2. Tell an adult immediately if you see something dangerous
3. Warn your friends too
4. Never play in unsafe areas
5. Always play where adults can see you

Class activity

Show pictures of safe and unsafe places. Let students identify which is which.

Discussion

• Have you seen any of these dangerous places?
• Where is a safe place to play?

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. An old broken building is _____
   • a) safe
   • b) not safe
   • c) good for playing
2. What should be at a filling station?
   • a) Fire extinguisher
   • b) Toys
   • c) Books
3. If you see a dangerous place, tell _____
   • a) nobody
   • b) an adult
   • c) your friends only
4. You should _____ play in an old building
   • a) always
   • b) never
   • c) sometimes
5. Open gutters are dangerous because _____
   • a) they are pretty
   • b) you can fall inside
   • c) they are fun

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

Assignment

1. Draw two places: one safe place and one unsafe place.
2. Fill in the gap: If I see a dangerous place, I must tell an _____. (Choose from: adult, enemy, animal.)
3. Tell your parents what makes a place unsafe.

Answer key: Question 1 depends on the pupil’s drawing: check that the unsafe place is one taught in the lesson. Question 2: adult. Question 3 is a talk-at-home activity and is not marked.