Being Safe — Class 8 English (Samacheer Kalvi)
TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 8 English, Prose 5. Practical safety rules for daily life.
1. About the lesson
Being Safe is an informative lesson on the safety measures we should follow every day — on the road, in the summer sun and at home.
2. Summary
The lesson is told through Prasanth, who visits his grandparents at Nagathi, a river island in Thanjavur District. Through his grandparents' advice it covers three kinds of safety:
- Road safety: walk on the right side facing traffic, cross only when the road is clear, and never use a cellphone while walking.
- Summer safety: stay in the shade, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and use sunscreen — because sunstroke is, as grandpa says, the most serious summer illness.
- Home safety: keep medicines in a locked cabinet, secure dangerous things, and keep a first-aid kit (with emergency instructions) in every household.
The lesson also explains being "street smart" — having the experience and knowledge to deal with the dangers of daily life.
3. Theme
The lesson stresses that following simple safety rules seriously can prevent accidents and illness and keep us safe at home, on the road and outdoors.
4. Glossary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sunstroke | illness caused by too much heat/sun |
| first-aid kit | a box of supplies for treating minor injuries |
| street smart | able to handle the dangers of daily life |
| sunscreen | a cream that protects skin from the sun |
| secure | to keep safe / fasten firmly |
5. Book-back questions (Samacheer Kalvi)
A. Read and answer
- Where did Prasanth go? — To his grandparents' home at Nagathi, a river island in Thanjavur District.
- On which side should we walk on the road? — On the right side, facing the traffic.
- According to grandpa, which is the most serious summer illness? — Sunstroke.
- Between what hours should we avoid the sun? — Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- What must every household have? — A first-aid kit.
B. Think and answer 6. What does "street smart" mean? — Having the experience and knowledge to deal with everyday dangers. 7. Where should medicines be kept? — In a locked cabinet, away from children.
6. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Saying we should walk on the left, with the traffic. Fix: Walk on the right side, facing the traffic, so you can see vehicles coming.
- Mistake: Forgetting the danger hours for the sun. Fix: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Mistake: Treating the first-aid kit as optional. Fix: A first-aid kit is a must in every household.
7. Quick revision
- Prose 5 · Being Safe (Prasanth at Nagathi, Thanjavur).
- Road safety: walk right facing traffic, cross when clear, no phone while walking.
- Summer safety: shade, avoid sun 10 a.m.–3 p.m., sunscreen; sunstroke is the worst illness.
- Home safety: medicines locked, first-aid kit in every home.
- Theme: simple safety rules prevent accidents and illness.
