A safe word is a word that partners agree on before sex or kink play that means “stop now”, with no questions asked. It is chosen to be unlikely to come up naturally, such as “red” or “pineapple”. Many couples also use “yellow” for slow down. If someone cannot speak, a hand signal or dropping an object works instead.
Why it matters when buying
Safety first: a safe word is the base of any bondage or role-play, because “no” can be part of a game. It only works if both people respect it every time and check in with each other after it is used.
What to look for
- A word you would never say in the moment
- A non-verbal signal for when speaking is hard
- A “slow down” word as well as a “stop” word
Where to shop
A safe word needs no product. For beginner restraints and blindfolds, see Bondage and kink.