Fencing can be very safe. Especially compared to sports which involve two teams and one ball which, in our experience, produce a lot more injuries. However, it is important to keep some things in mind while fencing:

During an exercise, both you and your partner must be in absolute control of your weapons at all times. You achieve this by working really slowly. If one of you makes a mistake, the other one is able to react. For example, if your partner does a strike to your head, and your parry fails, then your partner has to be able to stop his strike befor hitting your head. In this way, an accident may only happen if both of you make mistakes at the same time, which should not tend to happen.

Doing exercises slowly is better for learning. You are able to execute and change your movements consciously. When doing exercises with a partner, do not try to increase speed, but instead try to improve timing. Speed increases by itself with your growing experience.

Slow is precise, precise is fast.

Often there will be a difference in skill between you and your partner. In this case, the faster one must adapt to the slower one. He/She sets the pace.

If you notice you cannot maintain your concentration anymore, then you should stop your exercise. Take a break, and maybe even eat something. Also, do not forget to drink enough, according to the intensity of your training and the temperature of your surrounding.

If you have not done so much sports for a while, start your training with low intensity. Your body takes some time to accomodate to the unfamiliar movements. We have often seen sprains & strains and the like when people demanded too much of their bodies in the first few lessons they took. Also remember: Warming up (as referred to in Training) helps to prevent injuries.

Face and (especially) eyes are the most vulnerable body parts. We often use substitute targets in the videos, which means we attack, for example, the upper arm which is protected by muscle instead of the head. If you hit this substitute target unintentionally with a blunt weapon, then there should only be a bruise. Please either use substitute targets, or wear fencing masks/helms when doing exercises that involve attacks to the head. Likewise, protective gloves/gauntlets for the hands are a good idea. Additionally, cups for males and plastrons for females are helpful too.

Summary:

Train slowly. You need to have full control of your weapon at all times.

Use substitute targets. Wear fencing masks/helms when attacking the head.

The slower fencer with less experience dictates the speed. Respect his/her abilities.

If you cannot maintain your concentration, then take a break.

Drink enough water, but absolutely no alcohol, while training.