If you have a pond in your garden and you have children or grandchildren or if young children are likely to visit your garden then you need to take some safety precautions.
Although the Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents recommends that you don't have a pond in your garden until children are old enough to understand the potential dangers associated with it there are a number of steps you can do to minimise the risk.
When planning your garden position your pond where it can be seen from the house and makes sure that if children are playing in your garden that you always supervise them when they are near the pond.
Design a pond with gently sloping edges rather than one which has a sudden drop into deep water.
You can place a rigid mesh over the surface of the pond which will prevent children falling in. Make sure that the mesh is strong and rigid enough to support a child's weight. Safety grids that sit just below the surface of the water are also available.
Erect a fence around a large pond to ensure that children can't access it.
Grow plants around the deeper side of a pond to prevent children getting near the edge.
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