How To Make Your Pond Safe For Kids

You might have just bought the house of your dreams with a beautiful, picturesque pond in the garden, but there’s one problem – you’re worried about how to keep your children safe. Here are some tips on preventing your kids from getting into danger by your pond.

• Fencing

If you have very little ones, you might want to fit a tall fence around the water to protect them from getting near it.

ROSPA suggested getting a fence that is 1.1 metres tall and making sure any gates are locked. However, it also noted fences can sometimes “give you a false sense of security”, as some children can be particularly good at climbing and can manage to get over the top of them.

• Mesh cover

Mesh covering, therefore, could be a good option. This will enable fish to come to the surface of the water without the pond posing a real danger to the children.

However, it is best to avoid chicken wire and advisable to opt for mesh that is strong enough to support the weight of the kids.

“You just need to make sure you use a rigid metal grille,” ROSPA recommended, adding it is wise to check it regularly to ensure it is still secure enough to keep your little ones safe and above water level.

• Alarm

Make sure you remind children of the importance of water safety, so they know they shouldn’t go near the edge of the pond. Setting rules can help youngsters be aware of what they can and can’t do in the garden, such as not stepping on rocks in icy conditions.

However, it is still wise to be cautious and installing a pool alarm could offer you peace of mind if you are unable to supervise the children all the time.

Water Garden Advice said these float on the surface of the water and make a sound when something enters. Of course, this device only works for those who do not have fish in their pond, otherwise it would be going off frequently.

• Lots of rocks

Make your pond less tempting to go near by putting lots of obstacles around it. For instance, you could place several rocks around the edge to create a barrier and reduce the chance of kids accidently slipping into the water.

The publication recommended securing these down with cement so they don’t shift under the weight of your child.

However, rocks could also pose a problem, particularly in wet or cold weather as children climbing on these could easily slip and fall into the water.

Equally, homeowners should be careful what ornaments they choose to place around the pond as some might be appealing to children for their likeness to toys. Gnomes, for example, might be attractive to young kids, encouraging them to come near and play with them, instead of having the opposite desired effect.

• Tall pond plants

Another good idea is planting some tall grasses in the deepest parts of the pond. While this might not protect against your little ones slipping into the water, it will make the pond shallower – and therefore, safer – for them.

For decorative pond plants, take a look here.