Is it safe to watch a meteor shower?
Yes, meteor showers are completely safe to watch. The meteors burn up far above you. Just stay warm, go with an adult and be careful in the dark.
Watching a meteor shower is one of the safest and most magical things you can do outdoors at night.
The meteors themselves are no danger at all. They are tiny specks of dust that burn up about 80 to 120 kilometres above the ground, much higher than aeroplanes fly. Meteor shower dust is far too small to reach the ground as meteorites.
The things to be careful about are the usual ones for being outdoors at night. Always go with a grown-up, and tell someone else where you are going. Choose a place you know in daylight, away from roads, cliffs, rivers and ponds. Take a torch, ideally with a red light, which does not spoil your night vision as much. Dress very warmly, even in summer, because lying still on the ground makes you cold. A blanket, a hat, gloves and a warm drink make a big difference.
You do not need a telescope or binoculars, because meteors appear all over the sky. Just lie back, let your eyes get used to the dark for about 20 minutes, and be patient. There is no need to look at the Sun, so unlike solar eclipses, no special glasses are needed.