safety spot

safety spot (plural safety spots)

1. (gymnastics) The action of a spotter who is focused on preventing a fall or injury, as opposed to a control spot, which is focused on helping the gymnast acquire a skill.
   • 1986, Jay Sanford Shivers, Recreational Safety: The Standard of Care, page 219:

     A safety spot in gymnastics is designed to prevent falling. To execute a safety spot, the instructor or spotter must first determine where the fall might occur and place himself in that position.

   • 1987, YMCA of the USA, Progressive Gymnastics, page 26:

     Explain the reasons for spotting and demonstrate the kinds of spotting that should be used in different situations, for example, a safety spot for a difficult skill or a control spot to aid in good technique.

   • 2009, Ilona E. Gerling, Teaching Children's Gymnastics: Spotting and Securing, page 200:

     Safety spot for skilled knee hang swing dismounts: One to two children secure the landing at stomach and back.

2. (American football) The position of defensive safety; a position furthest from the line of scrimmage whose responsibility is to defend against passes as well as to be the tackler of last resort.
   • 1970, Princeton Alumni Weekly - Volume 71, page 10:

     Competing for the safety spot are soph Mike Hincewicz and freshman Gary Marshall, a small player in Davis' mold at 6-0, 155 pounds.

   • 2001, Craig Carter, Pro Football Guide, page 94:

     But with Samari Rolle at the other corner and Blaine Bishop at the other safety spot, the team will find a combination that works.

   • 2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in New York Time‎:

     According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons, listed at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, played at least 100 snaps at five positions — slot cornerback, edge rusher, linebacker and both safety spots — and finished with 16½ tackles for a loss, eight sacks, eight pass deflections and three interceptions.

3. A place one goes in order to be safe, especially one to go in times of emergency.
   • 1992, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology., Catastrophic Earthquakes, page 161:

     Identity "safety spots" in each room, i.e., those away from windows, heavy furniture, etc. Rehearse reaching the "safety spots" with the family.

   • 2001, The Children's Hospital Guide To Your Child's Health And Development, page 373:

     Everyone should exit from his or her room and meet at the designated safety spot.

   • 2016, Ed Espenshade, My Race with Diabetes and the Oli:

     This would become my safety spot where I would rush to when I felt a seizure coming on.

   • 2019, Weingart Cydney, Safety around the home, page 11:

     The sidewalk is my safety spot.

4. A short PSA about safety.
   • 1984, Sharyn Taitz, Health Care Safety Management: A Guide for Professionals, page 77:

     One safety spot points out the importance of calling for assistance before getting out of bed.While a mime artist falls flat on his face after getting up on his own, the narrator says, “ You may be weaker than you think."

   • 2008, Jeremy Packer, Mobility Without Mayhem: Safety, Cars, and Citizenship, page 30:

     Specifically, it was suggested they air talks by police, court, hospital, and school officials and insert safety spots into daily programing as well as sponsor safe-driving contests.

   • 2017, Derek Oden, Harvest of Hazards, page 125:

     Keith Kirkpatrick, a farm broadcaster with WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa, not only regularly included safety spots on his station, he also assumed a leading role in directing safety efforts in his state.

5. A blue dot on some flashbulbs that turns pink if there is an air leak.
   • 1939, Minicam - Volume 3, page 92:

     A blue safety spot is a visible check on the safety-to-use of every bulb; the spot automatically turns pink if a defect develops.

   • 1958, Gevaert Manual of Photography, page 123:

     Some makes of flashbulb are supplied with a blue safety spot on the glass envelope.

   • 1969, George L. Wakefield, An Introduction to Photography, page 169:

     A blue safety spot inside every bulb turns pink if air has leaked inside.

• safety stop