How old should children be before we have a garden pond?

Kimberley

To those who don't think so, it's only the same as if there were a fence between your garden and your neighbours'. You wouldn't expect them not to have a pond because you had children, and you also would not expect your children to go over the fence!!

Correct me if i'm wrong, but a few years ago a boy drowned in his neighbours pond, the garden was fenced off, but the child still got through. It was in the paper and since then people have compaigned and stressed to those with children to fill them in. People have the right to have a pond of course they are, all i'm saying is that it's not worth the risk if you have children because if they were to drown then whose fault is it?

Spendless

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

To those who don't think so, it's only the same as if there were a fence between your garden and your neighbours'. You wouldn't expect them not to have a pond because you had children, and you also would not expect your children to go over the fence!!

I think anyone who has a pond has a 'responsibility of care'. I posted earlier on this thread about one of my mums customers finding a toddler dead in her pond. It 'wasn't the womans pond', she had only just bought the house. Knowing this story I cringed when my in-laws neighbours put in a pond and then proceeded to keep the side gate to their back garden wide open. If you have both a pond and children you are raising the liklihood of anything happening to them, even if the liklihood remain small.

rovers there is some advice I've found you on the net about keeping a pond with young children.


http://www.rospa.com/waterandleisuresafety/factsheets/pondsafety.htm

quietheart

Thanks Spendless, that's sweet of you:T

kr15snw

We've had a pond since before me and my brothers were born, its a pretty big one aswell. The deepest part is over 1 metre, but it was raised about 1.5 feet off the ground. Its never caused us problems and gave all of us great entertainment / education when younger. I knew all about fish, but also frogs, newts and dragonflies. We used to catch frogspawn and then put them in a little tank and watch them grow. Also used to take a tank into school so that the whole class could enjoy it.

Depends on your situation, but we were never left alone with the pond until we were old enough to know that you did not climb on the pond wall no matter what. I think we were about 6/7 when we were allowed in that part of the garden on our own. Depends on your kids, if you think they can be trusted to be told 'dont go near it' then you should be ok.

If you have a garden big enough, how about putting a mini fence around it so that the kids cant accidently fall in?

sticher

Kimberley wrote: »

Correct me if i'm wrong, but a few years ago a boy drowned in his neighbours pond, the garden was fenced off, but the child still got through. It was in the paper and since then people have compaigned and stressed to those with children to fill them in. People have the right to have a pond of course they are, all i'm saying is that it's not worth the risk if you have children because if they were to drown then whose fault is it?

So by this way of thinking we should ban all ponds, all dogs (children being mauled to death), all roads, and so on?? Where were the boys parents? The child could just have easily gotten run over by a car or met with some other tragedy.

Parents are first and foremost responsible for their children. Accidents do happen however - and sadly that is a part of life.

liney

Firstly, accidents aren't anyones fault; thats why they are called accidents.

As long as the best possible care is taken then i see no reason to fill it in. You can get grate type covers as previously mentioned which your children will never move. A fence. A old fashioned cat net type cover. Until your children are older you will supervise anyway as stated, and if you need a quick wee you already have the additional safety measures in place.

Most importantly though the children should be taught about the dangers of water, and how to behave near pond, rivers, streams and even swimming baths, just like road safety.

anonymousie

I have kids now aged 13,11 and 8, they spend quite a bit of time in the garden unsupervised playing imaginative games, and have done for years. They have had climbing frames and other "dangers" to challenge themselves with, trees to climb etc too. If we had a pond (even a fenced/covered one) it would change the dynamic or the play and the freedom they have. We have nature type fun- sticking wellies in slimy ponds, watching pond skaters/frogs etc up the local nature reserve (10mins drive or 20 on the bus, even though we are in Brum).

Drowning is not a risk I would take , ever. Fall out of a tree/climbing frame and you'll likely live (even if Mum has let you be for half and hour and sibs don't notice the scream) but fall into a pond, bump your head just a little to make you "woozy" and you can be face down in a couple of inches of water very easily.

I fear that a fenced/walled/covered pond is MORE of a temptation really and, if parent thinks titch CAN'T get into the pond and they DO then the risk is greater??

I also know that my CM daughter ended up in next doors pond at the age of 2 on a snowy day, and her 4 older bros didn't notice she'd gone when mum was distracted. OK she was cold and wet but fine.....BUT it really isn't unknown for kids to hop fences, or pop through fox holes under wire fences etc and appear unannounced in gardens, and a wee wall is just another challenge if you are small and exploring....

Get rid of it then your kids can enjoy the garden and you can leave 'em to do it! If you keep it you will have even more worries later re grandkids!

alba37

sticher wrote: »

So by this way of thinking we should ban all ponds, all dogs (children being mauled to death), all roads, and so on?? Where were the boys parents? The child could just have easily gotten run over by a car or met with some other tragedy.

Parents are first and foremost responsible for their children. Accidents do happen however - and sadly that is a part of life.

I agree, accidents can happen any where at any time. As parents it's our reponsibility to keep our children as safe as possible but also for them to learn right from wrong.

My son grew up with a swimming pool right outside our door, as did/do many children and although I do know there have been tragic accidents I have never known of any personally.

I didn't have the option to cover the pool.

nearlyrich

My cousin was drowned in a pond many years ago aged 2, I don't know all the details as it was before I was born and it's not something that has been discussed in the family.

You have to teach children that some things are dangerous and watch them like a hawk when they are somewhere there could be danger which is pretty much everywhere.

If you feel you need to hae a safe haven in your own garden then fill it in, if you are prepared to be there looking after them whenever they are outside until they are teenagers then keep it and use it as a valuable resource over the years.

ailuro2

Be sensible about it-make it as safe as you possibly can, have a very sturdy cover- the ironwork on sounds decorative aswell as being strong.
Put a raised barrier round it too,but above all teach the kids not to go near it,or any other water container, without an adult.This will be a valuable lesson for them when dealing with all the other ponds,rivers,water butts etc. that aren't fenced off.
We will never keep our children 100% safe, there will always be other ponds, rivers etc for them to meet. At least this way they will learn how to respect water and it's inherent dangers.

fwiw there was a boy in the class below me at school,around 7 or 8yo at the time who drowned in a shallow local stream.His family lived in a flat,so no garden pond or water butt to worry about,but sadly he still found the danger.