Objectives: to know the meaning attributed by family members to the health safety of pediatric patients, with attention to the possibilities of their collaboration.
Methods: this qualitative study was conducted with eighteen family members of children hospitalized in a pediatric unit, from January to July 2018. Symbolic Interactionism was used as a theoretical framework, and Inductive Content Analysis as method.
Results: child hospitalization poses risks to possible incidents and adverse events. Participants and professionals are responsible for patient safety. Thus, their actions focus on error prevention. Therefore, they seek information and observe in a vigil way professional care in classic aspects of safety. They conceive essential and favoring safety the approach centered on children and family members. Final Considerations: family members recognized the chances of errors and care damage, identified themselves as support in minimizing damage and were in partnership with the professional, increasing chances of effecting safety.