Drones, batteries and soldering irons are a lot of fun, and some of it is hot, fast or full of energy. This guide collects every safety page from the HOBIzone Quick Guides in one place. When a new guide adds a safety slide, it shows up here too.
Drones aren't dangerous. Careless pilots are.
Almost all accidents come from the person holding the sticks: rushing, not checking, not paying attention. Only a few come from the drone or the radio link. That's good news: it's in your hands.
Safety · why
Drones aren’t dangerous. Careless pilots are.
~90 % the pilot
10 %
Most accidents come from the person holding the sticks: rushing, not checking, not paying attention. Only a few come from the drone or the radio link.
That’s good news: it’s in your hands. This guide is everything we do at HOBIzone to keep each other safe.
it’s in your hands
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 1
Props off on the bench
On the bench or in the pits a drone can start by itself: a bump on the switch, a wrong setting, a stuck radio. Spinning props cut. So: props off, then battery. Fix it, set it up and test the motors without props. Props go on only at the flying area, just before you fly.
Safety · props
Props off on the bench
On the bench or in the pits a drone can start by itself: a bump on the switch, a wrong setting, a stuck radio. Spinning props cut. So: props off, then battery.
Props on + battery in
Never on the bench, never in the pits.
Props off, then battery
Fix it, set it up, test the motors. Always without props. Props go on only at the flying area, just before you fly.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 2
Battery out before you touch it
A drone can spin up again even when it looks off. Before you pick it up, carry it or touch a prop: disarm, wait for the props to stop, then unplug the battery. Hear a beep or see a light? It's live.
Safety · props
Battery out before you touch it
A drone can spin up again even when it looks off. Before you pick it up, carry it or touch a prop: disarm, then unplug the battery.
1
off
Disarm
Arm switch off. Wait for the props to stop.
2
Unplug
Battery out before you touch the drone.
3
Then touch
Now you can pick it up, carry it, or change a prop.
Hear a beep or see a light? It’s live. Hands away from the props.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 3
Burns
A soldering iron tip is 350–400 °C: hotter than a pizza oven. If you get burnt: cool it under running water for 20 minutes, take rings and watches off, use burn spray or gel from the first-aid kit after cooling and cover it loosely with cling film, and always tell your trainer. Know where the first-aid kit and burn spray are before you switch the iron on. A big burn (bigger than your palm, on the face or hands, or with big blisters): call 112.
20 min
off!
burn spray
ouch!
Safety · burns
The tip is 350–400 °C
Hotter than a pizza oven: it burns in less than a second. If it happens, don’t panic. Do this:
1 · Cool it, straight away
Cool running water for 20 minutes. Yes, really 20.
2 · Rings off
Take off rings and watches before it swells.
3 · Burn spray, cover loosely
After cooling: burn gel or spray from the first-aid kit, then cling film.
4 · Tell your trainer
Every time, even if it seems tiny. You won’t be in trouble.
First-aid kit + burn spray
Know where they are before you switch the iron on.
Big burn? Call 112
Bigger than your palm, on the face or hands, or big blisters.
Never
ice, butter or toothpaste · popping blisters · catching a falling iron, let it fall
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 4
Safe at the soldering bench
Glasses on: solder and flux can spit. A fan or fresh air, so you don't breathe the smoke. The iron goes back in its stand every time you let go; hold the handle, never the metal. Wash your hands after soldering and keep food and drinks off the bench. Switch the iron off when you're done and let it cool before packing it away. And no LiPo plugged in while you solder.
Safety · soldering bench
Safe at the bench
The tip is hotter than any kitchen oven: around 350–400 °C. Do this first, every time.
Glasses on
Solder and flux can spit.
Fan or fresh air
The smoke is flux. Don’t breathe it.
Iron in its stand
Every time you let go. Hold the handle, never the metal.
Wash your hands
After soldering. No food or drinks at the bench.
Off when done
And let it cool before you pack it away.
Batteries away
No LiPo plugged in while you solder.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 5
Look after your batteries
A LiPo battery holds a lot of energy. Never charge without someone watching, charge in a LiPo bag on stone or metal, never charge or fly a swollen or damaged battery, and unplug when it's full. Old or puffy batteries go in the battery collection box, never in the bin.
Safety · batteries
Look after your batteries
A LiPo battery holds a lot of energy. Treat it well and it’s safe. Damage it and it can burn. We’ll have a whole guide about batteries. Until then, these rules:
Never charge alone
Someone always watches while batteries charge.
Charge in a LiPo bag
On stone or metal, never on a carpet, bed or wooden table.
Puffy? Stop!
A swollen, dented or cut battery: don’t charge it, don’t fly it. Give it to your trainer.
Unplug when done
Never leave a battery in the charger or plugged into the drone.
And if it does burn?
Next two slides: why a battery burns, and what to do.
Old or dead batteries never go in the bin. They go to a battery collection box.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 6
Why a LiPo burns
A LiPo doesn't burn like paper. It starts with damage: a crash, a puncture, overcharging or a short. One cell gets hot inside, the heat breaks down the next layer, which makes even more heat: a chain reaction called thermal runaway. First it puffs and hisses and gives off white, poisonous smoke, then it can burst into jets of flame. Because the battery makes its own heat, you can't just "switch it off" or smother it like a candle. And a battery that looked finished can flare up again hours later.
Safety · batteries
Why a LiPo burns
A LiPo isn’t like wood or paper. Once one cell overheats, it feeds its own fire. That’s called thermal runaway.
1
Damage
A crash, a puncture, overcharging, a short circuit, or a puffy old pack.
2
One cell gets hot
Inside it, the chemicals start to break down and make more heat.
3
Chain reaction
The heat spreads to the next cell, and the next. It gets hotter and hotter by itself.
4
Smoke, then flames
It hisses, puffs up, pours out thick toxic smoke, then can burst into jets of flame.
Why it’s hard to stop: it makes its own heat, the smoke is poisonous, and it can flare up again hours later. Fire services say you can’t really put it out. You can only cool it and keep it from spreading.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 7
Battery fire: what to do
You: get away, shout "Battery fire!" so an adult comes, and never touch it: it's over 500 °C and the smoke is poisonous. Adults, only if it's safe: unplug the charger at the wall, cover or contain it (fire blanket, sand bucket or LiPo bag), cool it with lots of water (powder and CO₂ extinguishers put out flames but don't cool the battery), then move it outside with a shovel or tongs and watch it for hours. If the fire is big or spreading: get out and call 112. Everyone should know where the fire blanket, sand bucket and exit are.
Safety · batteries
Battery fire: what to do
You
Get away
Move back. Get everyone away. Don’t breathe the smoke.
battery fire!
Shout for an adult
“Battery fire!”. Loud, so everyone hears.
Never touch it
Not to throw it, not to move it. It can be 500 °C+.
Adults
Only if it’s safe. Otherwise just get out and call 112.
1
Unplug the charger
At the wall socket, not by grabbing the battery.
2
Smother and contain
Fire blanket, sand bucket or the LiPo bag/box. Keep it from spreading.
3
Cool it with lots of water
Fire services say water is best: it cools. Powder and CO₂ don’t cool it.
4
Move it outside, with a tool
Shovel or metal tongs into a bucket of sand or water. Never by hand.
5
Watch it for hours
It can flare up again. Leave it outside in sand or water.
Big fire, lots of smoke, or it spreads? Get out and call 112. At the club: know where the fire blanket, the sand bucket and the exit are.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 8
Flying together
Book your channel on the reservation screen before you plug in, and wait your turn if someone is on it. Video power is never higher than 25 mW. Say it out loud: "Plugging in!", "Taking off!", "Landing!", "Crash!". Stay in the pilot area and never fly over or towards anyone.
Safety · flying together
Flying together
A drone in the air is fast and has sharp props. Everyone around you needs to know what you’re doing.
Book your channel
On the reservation screen, before you plug in. Someone on your channel? Wait your turn.
25 mW, always
Video power never higher, in practice and in races.
taking off!
Say it out loud
“Plugging in!” “Taking off!” “Landing!” “Crash!”
Never over people
Stay in the pilot area. Never fly over or towards anyone.
More in the guide Know your channel.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 9
The rules outside the club
Outside our training hall drones follow EU rules, run in Estonia by Transpordiamet. Register as an operator if your drone weighs 250 g or more or has a camera, and put your operator ID on the drone. Pass the free online A1/A3 test, required from 250 g, and a good idea for everyone. Stay below 120 m and away from people, roads and buildings. Check no-fly zones at utm.eans.ee. Flying FPV? A spotter must stand next to you and watch the drone, even with a drone under 250 g. (Under 250 g, FPV with a spotter is allowed in A1; Transpordiamet confirmed this in 2026.) Rules change. Check transpordiamet.ee.
Safety · the law
The rules outside the club
Flying outside our training hall? Drones follow EU rules. In Estonia they are run by Transpordiamet.
Register as an operator
If your drone weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera. Your operator ID goes on the drone.
Pass the online test
The free A1/A3 course and test, about an hour. Needed from 250 g. A good idea for everyone.
Max 120 m high
And keep away from people, roads and buildings.
Check the map
Airports and no-fly zones: utm.eans.ee
FPV? Take a spotter
A spotter stands next to you and watches the drone. Always, even under 250 g.
Rules change. Always check the latest at transpordiamet.ee.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 10
Under 16? The coach is the pilot
You have to be 16 to take the A1/A3 test and get certified. Until then you may fly bigger drones only under the direct supervision of a pilot who is certified. Only toys and home-built drones under 250 g have no age limit. That's why our outdoor training and official races always happen in a designated area, under a coach's supervision: the coach is the responsible pilot. Planning to fly on your own and you don't have a certificate? Don't fly alone. Take a licensed adult with you, and they are the responsible pilot. Flying FPV? You still need a spotter.
Safety · who is the pilot
Under 16? The coach is the pilot
You have to be 16 to take the A1/A3 test. Younger pilots fly bigger drones only under the direct supervision of a pilot who has it.
coach
16+
A1 / A3
At the club
Outdoor training and official races happen in a designated area, under a coach’s supervision. The coach is the responsible pilot.
Why
Under 16 you can’t get certified yet. Only toys and home-built drones under 250 g have no age limit. Anything bigger needs a certified pilot in charge.
On your own
No certificate? Don’t fly alone. Take a licensed adult with you. They are the responsible pilot. Flying FPV? You still need a spotter.
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
HOBIZONE.ORG
Fig. 11
Before, during, after
Check the drone, props and battery before you fly; keep it in sight, watch the battery and land in time while you fly; disarm, unplug, check and clean up after.
Safety · checklists
Before, during, after
1
Before
Frame, motors and props: no cracks
Props tight and on the right motors
Battery charged, not puffy
Channel booked, 25 mW
Safe spot, no people in the way
Tell everyone: “Plugging in!”
2
During
Keep it where you or your spotter can see it
Stay away from people and animals
Watch the battery: land in time
Something wrong? Land, then fix
Say it out loud: taking off, landing, crash
3
After
Disarm, then battery out
Check props and frame
Let the battery cool before charging
Not flying for days? Storage charge (3.8 V)
Clean up your spot
What went well? What next time?
Free to use in your own trainings. Just tell people where you got it.
~90 % of accidents are the pilot, not the drone. Good news: it's in your hands.
1:30
Props off on the bench
A drone can start by itself. Props off, then battery. Never props on in the pits.
2:30
Battery out before you touch it
Disarm, unplug, then touch. Beep or light = live.
3:30
Burns
The tip is 350–400 °C. Four steps; walk to the tap, first-aid kit and burn spray. 112 for big burns.
4:30
Soldering bench
Glasses, fresh air, iron in its stand, wash your hands, off when done, no battery plugged in.
5:00
Look after your batteries
Never charge alone, LiPo bag, puffy = stop, unplug when done.
5:45
Why a LiPo burns
Damage → one cell overheats → chain reaction (thermal runaway). It makes its own heat, the smoke is poisonous, it can flare up hours later.
6:15
Battery fire: what to do
You: get away, shout, never touch. Adults, if safe: unplug at the wall, contain, cool with lots of water, move out with a shovel, watch for hours. Big fire: 112.
7:00
Flying together
Book your channel, 25 mW, say it out loud, never over people.
8:00
The rules outside the club
Register, online test (from 250 g), 120 m, check the map. FPV always needs a spotter. Under 250 g that's A1.
8:30
Under 16?
You must be 16 to get certified. At the club the coach is the responsible pilot, in a designated area. On your own without a certificate: take a licensed adult.
8:45
Before, during, after
Run through the checklists together.
9:30
Takeaway
"Drones aren't dangerous. Careless pilots are."
Demo: Walk the room together: where is the tap, the first-aid kit, the burn spray, the LiPo bags, the channel screen? Everyone points.