Safety

Scientific experiments and magic tricks can bring you more fun than most other activities. However they can also bring some risks. The European Science Club puts a lot of effort in reducing these risks in the described experiments as good as possible and explicitly describs all risky aspects but despite these efforts it is impossible to cover all the risks (for example some persons might have allergies against substances necessary for some experiments,...). Therefore the European Science Club provides these information as they are and is not responsible for any damages or injuries resulting from these information. As a good scientist you have always to consider the safety aspects (beyond the safety rules mentioned in the experiment descriptions!) by yourself.

The first rule of safety is to ask if you are not sure about something. As a young scientist (and the younger you start with science the better) you should always do the experiments together with your parents and listen to their advice. If they say that an experiment is to dangerous for your age, please DON't do it but wait until you are old enough. This site is regularly updated with new experiments and magic tricks, so you will find enough experiments siutable for your age.

The experiments on this site are all prepared by PhDs and university professors but since the team can not cover all scientific areas in detail (a quantum physisicist has not the lab experience of a microbiologist and vice versa) it might be that in the more advanced experiments (targeting experienced scientists) not all the risks are mentioned in enough detail for young scientists. If you see such an experiment, please let us know that we can change the description to make it safe for all. As European Science Club we would like to bring the fun of science to all - from the six year old scientist up to the Nobel Laureat who wants to see which cool experiments exist in other disciplines. Nevertheless it has to be safe for everybody and if the scientifically experienced visitors help us, we can make science a safe fun place for the next generation of scientists!

Important Safety Symbols

	This symbol indicates experiments with potentially dangerous aspects. Young scientists should do these experiments together with their parents and leave the dangerous parts to them.
	These experiments include chemicals that can stain or damage your clothes. Be careful and don't get these chemicals near your clothes. The same applies for your eyes: always wear glasses and protect your eyes when working with chemicals. It is best to buy lab proofed eye protection but if you have nothing else at hand, wear at least sun glasses and be carefull that no chemicals can get from below or the sides to your eyes!
	Flammable substances are used in these experiments. It is best to do these experiments outside on a fireproof surface (stone slabs, tarred surface,...) and make sure that there are no flammable things nearby. (WARNING: green hedges can also burn very easily because of the essential oils!).
	These experiments may use or produce substances that are potentially explosive. Follow the instructions carefully and if you do not understand something, ask your parents before you do the experiment!
	You should be especially careful with these experiments. On the one hand, some parts may be dangerous, but on the other hand, the experiment may not work if you do not follow the instructions exactly.
	Toxic substances are present in these experiments. These must not be eaten or come into contact with food (even if they look great and delicious), skin and especially not with your eyes!
	These experiments use lasers or focused light. NEVER look into the laser beam (not even into the reflected laser beam). Looking directly into the laser (or the sun) can damage your eyes forever!
	Electricity is used in these experiments. Normally, the currents in our experiments are always so small that nothing can happen, but never try to replace the power sources in our experiments with electricity from the wall socket. This could be fatal!