Lesson 249: Turn devices on and off safely

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section A — Technology Around Us

← Back to Level 1

Objective

I can show safe ways to turn devices on and off, use buttons and switches gently, and ask an adult for help when something seems wrong or unsafe.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Safe on and off

Many devices have a power button or switch that turns them on and off.

Safe ways to turn things on

  • Use gentle fingers, not hard hits.
  • Follow your family or class screen rules.
  • For big devices (like TVs, game consoles, or computers), ask an adult first.

Safe ways to turn things off

  • Use the power button, stop or pause button, or on-screen shut down.
  • Wait until the device has finished saving or closing.
  • Put the device away in its safe place.

What we do not do

  • We do not yank cords from the wall.
  • We do not touch plugs with wet hands.
  • We do not press random buttons on machines we do not know.

Ask an adult for help

  • For cords, plugs, or strange noises or smells, get an adult right away.
  • Say: "Something seems wrong. Can you please check?"
  • Adults can decide whether to turn it off, unplug it, or call for more help.

On, off, and our choices

  • People decide when to start a device.
  • People decide when to stop and take breaks.
  • Safe on and off rules help protect our bodies, our eyes, and our home or school.

Adults can say: "Devices are tools. We will use safe on and off rules and you can always ask me for help."

Picture strip: "Safe on / safe off"

Guided Practice — Safe on / off choices

You and an adult will sort safe and unsafe ways to turn devices on and off.

  1. On a page, draw a big T-chart. Label one side "Safe" and the other side "Not safe".
  2. Read or say this idea: "Tap the power button gently." Ask: "Which side does this go on?" Write or draw it in the Safe side.
  3. Read: "Pull the cord out of the wall very fast." Decide together that this is Not safe and put it in that column.
  4. Add more ideas with your child, such as: "Ask an adult before turning on the big TV", "Use dry hands", or "Turn off when time is up". Sort each one as Safe or Not safe.
  5. Circle the three most important Safe ideas for your home or class.
  6. Help your child say a sentence, like: "I use gentle buttons, follow rules, and ask an adult for on and off."
  7. Choose one safe idea and put it on a sticky note near a device (for example, "Ask adult" by the TV remote).
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "I turn devices on and off safely with an adult."

Practice — My on and off rules

Use this practice to help your child make simple rules for turning devices on and off safely.

  1. On a new page, draw one device you use (for example, a tablet, TV, or game console). Add the power button or switch to your picture.
  2. Draw a small picture of you and a trusted adult next to the device. Add a speech bubble that says something like "Can I turn it on now?" or "Time to turn it off."
  3. Under the picture, help your child write or trace three short rules:
    1) "Ask an adult."
    2) "Use gentle buttons."
    3) "Turn off when time is up."
  4. Read the rules together. Ask: "What should you do if something seems wrong with this device?" Help your child answer: "Stop and tell an adult."
  5. Choose one rule to act out. Pretend to start a device, follow the rule, then pretend to turn it off safely.
  6. Put the drawing near the real device as a reminder of your on and off rules.

Quick Check — Turn devices on and off safely

Answer each question about safe on and off and asking adults for help.

1) What is a safe way to turn on a tablet?

We use gentle fingers on the power button, not rough hits.

2) What should you do before turning on a big TV or game console?

Adults can help you decide when it is a good time to use devices.

3) What is the best way to turn a device off?

We use the proper button or on-screen controls to turn devices off safely.

4) What is not safe?

Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. We keep cords away from wet hands.

5) The tablet makes a strange noise and feels hot. What should you do?

An adult needs to check if the device is safe to use.

6) Your time is up. What shows safe on and off rules?

Following time limits helps keep technology use healthy and safe.

7) Which sentence is true?

Gentle hands keep devices working and keep you safe.

8) Who can help you decide how to turn a device on or off?

Trusted adults can show you safe on and off habits.

9) Which rule is best?

Stopping and asking an adult helps keep everyone safe.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

We want children to feel confident and safe when using technology.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

← Lesson 248 Lesson 250 →