Garden Ponds & Water Safety

Children possess a natural curiosity that is crucial for their growth during the early years; however, this curiosity can sometimes lead them into peril, particularly when it comes to garden water features, which may include ponds, water butts, paddling pools, or water slides.

One of the primary reasons for this danger is that water is incredibly appealing to children. Despite a rise in incidents involving drownings of toddlers and young children in residential settings with garden water features, these features continue to be popular. For those who cannot bear the thought of filling in their pond or removing their water features, it is essential to take precautions to ensure the safety of children.

Toddlers and young children under six years old are particularly at risk, and the reasons for this are evident; toddlers are becoming more mobile, yet their coordination and agility are still developing, and they lack an understanding of danger.

As children grow, they begin to respond better to guidance and gain a clearer understanding of the risks they face. Statistics indicate that even when children are under supervision, if the adult is briefly distracted or called away, tragedies can occur, as it only takes a moment for an accident to happen.

 It is crucial to implement measures to prevent such tragedies. Continuous supervision is recommended for those who choose to maintain a garden pond, along with making the area inaccessible to children. Simply fencing off a pond may not provide sufficient safety, as young children may still find ways to reach the other side and are quite clever in their attempts.

Climbing over and squeezing through small openings seems to be a specialty of theirs. Never assume that your garden pond is completely safe. The most effective solution, aside from filling in the pond and repurposing it as a sandpit, would be to install a safety grille or mesh.

The mesh or grille should be sturdy enough to support a child’s weight and must have a grid size no larger than 80mm x 80mm to prevent little fingers or arms from getting stuck. The fixings also need to be secure and regularly checked to eliminate any risk of entrapment for the child. It is important that the mesh or grille is installed above the water, as studies have shown that babies and small toddlers can roll onto the mesh or grille and drown face down, unable to right themselves, in as little as 300mm of water.

Keep in mind that over time, the mesh or grille may sag. Whenever possible, consider using a specialized pond guard manufacturer for your product. Inferior options, such as chicken wire, may create a false sense of security, as these have proven to be inadequate. Statistics reveal that children have drowned while protected by this method due to crawling underneath, significant sagging in the middle, or simply managing to pull the wire aside.
It is vital to conduct regular inspections for any deterioration of safety measures in place, and it is also highly recommended that you teach your child to swim at an early age