Eye Safety
Always wear lab goggles while performing experiments. If a chemical does get in your eyes, wash it out immediately. Time is critical; you must wash your eyes as quickly as possible. Wash with plenty of warm water for several minutes (15 minutes generally). Strong bases such as sodium hydroxide can cause the most rapid damage, but acids and salts are also very harmful.
Wearing contact lenses is strongly discouraged. Harmful vapors can be trapped under them and damage your eyes.
General Safety
It is your responsibility to perform these experiments in a safe manner. Always choose a safe location to perform chemical reactions. Many of the chemical reactions produce dangerous vapors. Avoid breathing dangerous vapors. Perform reactions outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. The wooden lid of the chemistry set provides a good base for reactions.