Safety Rules for Scissors

Learning to use scissors is a skill that is generally taught to preschool-age children in either a home, daycare or school setting. Learning proper techniques for cutting is important for children; however, safety rules are equally important and should be taught as soon as a child is old enough to begin using scissors.

  1. Guidelines for Using

    • Children should be aware of your expectations and rules regarding where and when scissors can be used. A young child should use scissors only in the presence of you or another adult. Generally, kids learn scissors skills by age 6 so before this time it's best to use blunt, safety scissors. Additionally, insist that your child be sitting down at a table while using scissors to prevent accidents. If a circumstance arises when he must move across a room with a pair of scissors in hand, show your youngster how to grasp the closed blades of the scissors in his hand and walk rather than run.

    Safe Storage

    • Encourage your child to store scissors safely to prevent accidental cuts and pokes while retrieving them. For example, place scissors in a tall container with the point faced down. When the child needs a scissors, demonstrate the ease with which she can take hold of the scissors by the handle instead of touching the blade.

    Passing to Others

    • Passing a pair of scissors to another person should be done so that the other person can hold onto the handle. To do this, show your child how to safely close the scissors, wrap his hands firmly around the closed blades and safely hand the tool to the other person. Practice this transfer with your child so he understands how to hand off a scissors to someone else safely.

    Safe and Prudent Use

    • Teach your child that scissors are a tool, not a toy. Stress the importance of using scissors only for cutting paper or another material that you provide. Scissors should not be used for sharpening pencils or prying objects open. By keeping scissors in a jar or container out of reach of your child, he can learn that he needs supervision with scissors and he uses them for crafting or school projects involving materials such as paper or felt, for example.

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