precaution

A precaution is a careful step taken before doing or saying something that might have bad consequences.

When we think about taking precautions, we usually imagine preparing for a potential problem. We take precautions when we know there's some risk involved, like driving on icy roads or using chemicals in the kitchen. We also use precautions in more everyday situations, like wearing sunscreen to protect our skin from getting sunburned. It's just being smart and thinking ahead, so that things don't go wrong. If you're planning a big event, you might take precautions by having emergency supplies on hand, or checking the weather forecast before booking a venue.