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As soon as the batter-runners trail foot passes the missed base the proper mechanic is to signal safe and wait for an appeal.
"Professional umpires are trained to render the "safe" signal and voice declaration at first base even though the batter-runner missed the base but is considered past the base when the tag of first base is made. This becomes an appeal play and the batter-runner would subsequently be called out for failure to properly touch the base. This is the proper mechanical procedure at all bases involving force plays. On plays which require a tag, professional umpires are instructed to make no call until the runner legally touches the base or the runner is tagged before legally touching the base. "
At home you need to wait just a second and see what the runner does before you signal anything. If he heads toward his dugout you signal safe and wait for an appeal. If he immediately scrambles back toward the plate to correct his error he has to be tagged.
Tim.
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