Safewords

A safeword stops a scene instantly, no questions asked. Pick a word you'd never say in the scene by accident. "Stop" and "no" don't always work, since they can be part of play.

The traffic lights are the most common:

• Green: all good, keep going.
• Yellow: slow down or check in.
• Red: stop now.

If talking isn't possible (a gag, a pet scene, a struggle), agree a non-verbal signal too: dropping an object you're holding, tapping out three times, or a set sound.

Using a safeword is never failing. The partner who hears it should stop, check in and say thank you.