Every child has a built-in safety system called their Harm Alarm. It’s that inner voice or “alarm clock” that goes off when something doesn’t feel right. Teaching kids to listen to their Harm Alarm helps them stay safe, confident, and empowered in everyday situations.

What Is the Harm Alarm?

The Harm Alarm is your body’s way of sending a safety message. It might feel like butterflies in your stomach, a tight feeling in your chest, goosebumps on your arms, or a little voice saying, “Hmm… I don’t like this.” These feelings are important and should never be ignored.

Kids often experience situations where they feel unsure, uncomfortable, or confused. Listening to their Harm Alarm helps children recognize when they need to pause, leave a situation, or ask for help. Most importantly, it teaches them that their feelings matter.

Always Share Your Harm Alarm

One of the most important Harm Alarm rules is this: always share that feeling with a trusted adult. Whether the situation feels big or small, kids should know it’s okay to speak up, even if they’re not sure why something feels wrong.

• Talk about different situations and ask, “What would your Harm Alarm say?”

• Role-play using words like “stop,” “no,” or “I need help”

• Praise children when they listen to and share their feelings

Lil’ Iguana’s Harm Alarm lesson teaches kids to trust their instincts, use their voices, and understand that listening to their inner alarm is a powerful safety skill they can use every day.

Use Lil’ Iguana’s Harm Alarm lesson to make listening to feelings a normal and confident part of your child’s safety routine.