Safety Merit Badge Requirements

Requirements

1. # Copy link to requirement 1
   Safety and Hazards. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 1.a
      Explain what safety is and what it means to be safe.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 1.b
      Explain what hazards are and how people manage hazards to reduce risks of harm and to improve safety.
2. # Copy link to requirement 2
   Family and Home Safety. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 2.a
      Explain common causes of and prevention of home injuries.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 2.b
      Discuss the dangers involved with the use of fireworks.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 2.c
      Explain common causes of and prevention of home fires.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 2.d
      Using the Home Safety Checklist in the Safety merit badge pamphlet, or one approved by your counselor, inspect your home or a similar building for hazards with an adult. Review your checklist and findings with your counselor.
      Resources:

      • Home Safety Checklist (PDF)
   5. # Copy link to requirement 2.e
      Develop a fire-escape plan for your home or for a similar building. Include in your drawings exit routes from each room and a meeting place outside. Conduct a fire-escape drill. Review your plan and your drill with your counselor.
   6. # Copy link to requirement 2.f
      Develop a family emergency action plan for evacuation because of weather or other natural disasters that occur in your area. Using a checklist in the Safety merit badge pamphlet or one approved by your counselor, assemble or inspect an emergency supplies kit. Explain to your counselor how a family would use the plan and the kit supplies in an emergency.
3. # Copy link to requirement 3
   Safety from Crime. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 3.a
      Explain common types of crimes that can affect teens.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 3.b
      Using a Home Security Checklist in the Safety merit badge pamphlet or one approved by your counselor, inspect your home or a similar building for crime security measures with an adult. Review your checklist and findings with your counselor.
      Resources:

      • Home Security Checklist (PDF)
4. # Copy link to requirement 4
   Safety in Public Places. Explain each of the following to your counselor:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 4.a
      How a person would safely exit from public buildings, a hotel, and a stadium in an emergency.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 4.b
      How and why Scouts would take shelter at camp.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 4.c
      How should Scouts respond to an active shooter.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 4.d
      The meaning of this saying: “If You See Something, Say Something.®”
5. # Copy link to requirement 5
   Safeguarding Youth. Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 5.a
      Discuss Scouting America’s Safeguarding Youth guidelines that adults and Scouts must follow so that everyone is safe at Scouting activities.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 5.b
      Discuss with your counselor what situations and behaviors would prompt you to Recognize, Resist, and Report a possible abuse situation.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 5.c
      Discuss how you, other Scouts, leaders, and anyone can report situations suspicious for abuse through the Scouts First Helpline and other means.
6. # Copy link to requirement 6
   Safety from Assault. Explain how to avoid or prevent:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 6.a
      Assault on a street
   2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b
      Assault at a restaurant event
   3. # Copy link to requirement 6.c
      Sexual assault at a party or on a date.
7. # Copy link to requirement 7
   Online Safety. Discuss the following with your counselor:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 7.a
      How to avoid being the victim of online crimes.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 7.b
      Common online financial scams.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 7.c
      Effective online security.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 7.d
      Identity theft and how to prevent it.
   5. # Copy link to requirement 7.e
      How criminals use social media to target victims.
   6. # Copy link to requirement 7.f
      How bullying, texting, and sharing photos can become crimes.
8. # Copy link to requirement 8
   Travel Safety. Explain guidelines for traveling safely:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 8.a
      As a pedestrian in a city
   2. # Copy link to requirement 8.b
      In a friend’s car or truck
   3. # Copy link to requirement 8.c
      In a rideshare vehicle
   4. # Copy link to requirement 8.d
      On a bus
   5. # Copy link to requirement 8.e
      On a subway or train
   6. # Copy link to requirement 8.f
      On a commercial airplane.
9. # Copy link to requirement 9
   Careers. Do ONE of the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 9.a
      Explore careers related to Safety merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. With permission of your parent or guardian, your research methods may include an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 9.b
      Explore how you could use knowledge and skills related to safety to pursue a hobby, lifestyle, or service as a volunteer. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursue this.