safety mechanism
Prevents accidental activation
A safety mechanism is a device or feature designed to prevent accidental harm or unintended operation.
Guns have safety mechanisms that block the trigger; machines have mechanisms that shut down when hands get too close.
The term extends to procedures and protocols: The treaty includes safety mechanisms to prevent escalation.
In psychology, it sometimes overlaps with defense mechanism—mental processes that protect against anxiety or distress.
- panic buttonEmergency alert activator
- emergency brakeSecondary vehicle stopping mechanism
- brakeDevice to slow motion
- airbagVehicle collision cushion
- dead man's handleFail-safe requiring continuous activation
fuse · firewall · apoptosis · failsafe · antibody · whistleblower protection · circuit breaker · social insurance · surge protector · lock · clotting factor · seatbelt · reflex arc · pressure valve · antivirus software · two-factor authentication · white blood cell · guardrail
- elevatorselevator, elevators, elevator shaft, lift shaft, elevator doors
- crossbowsarbalest, bolt, bolts, bowstring, crossbow bolt
- gun specscaliber, barrel length, muzzle velocity, rate of fire, effective range
- gunsmithinggunsmith, gunsmithing, bluing, chambering, checkering
safety mechanismhazard
Source of potential harm
booby trap · death trap · danger · threat · weapon
safety mechanismtrigger mechanism
Device initiating weapon discharge
firing mechanism · detonator · release mechanism · ignition system · hair trigger
safety mechanismsecurity flaw
vulnerability · weak point · design flaw · structural weakness · risk factor