Pond Safety

How can I make my pond safe?

There is no such thing as a safe pond where small children are concerned - a small child can drown in just three inches of water.

The best advice to parents who have toddlers and garden ponds is to drain the pond altogether.

It can be filled with sand and made temporarily into a sand pit. If this is not possible then the following precautions should be taken.

It should be borne in mind that most of the toddlers who have drowned in garden ponds have done so in the ponds of friends or relatives.

• Young children must always be supervised especially when visiting friends.
• Shallow shelving or marshy edges can be incorporated into the design so that there is no easy access to deep water.
• Shrubs and plants around the edges of the pond can make access difficult for youngsters.
• Grills can be manufactured to provide temporary or permanent cover. They must be firmly secured and regularly checked for signs of deterioration.
• Ponds can be fenced off to prevent access.
• Water butts should be securely covered.
• Surrounding waterfalls should be fenced.

Electricity

• Equipment should be installed by a competent electrician - the more complex the installation the greater competence required.
• Where necessary waterproof unions of the appropriate type should be used.
• Cables and equipment should be checked regularly.
• Repairs or replacements should be carried out as soon as a fault is detected.
• Circuit breakers can provide life saving protection.
• All electrical items should be switched off if any maintenance is undertaken.
• The location of underground cables should be marked in some way.
• Cables should be cased and sited below spade depth.
• The pond should be illuminated at night.

Chemicals

• Read all labels on pond treatments and follow instructions carefully.
• Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Store all chemicals in their original containers.
• Wash hands after using chemicals or after immersing hands in the pond.

For further information please contact:
Neighbourhood Services on 01276 707330 or email environmental.health@sureryheath.gov.uk