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

Claudie

sticher wrote: »

Claudie wrote: »

Prevention to me is far better than any cure./QUOTE]

I agree totally, but with all these so called 'safety' devices, are the children being lulled in to a false sense of security? For example for those with the heatguards on taps (never heard of them before), will their children realise that some taps do have extremely hot water?

Not aimed at anyone here I have to say, but aren't some of these precautions also likely to mean that some parents 'think' they don't need to supervise their children properly?

No offence taken but my son was still taught the dangers - he was just a real inquisitive soul (still is) so we tried our best to child proof - we still bore him to pieces with the "rules" LOL

Spendless

sticher wrote: »

Claudie wrote: »

As for it not being practical to take two children with you when you need the toilet - my two youngest are only 18 months apart and if the phone rang, etc or I needed the toilet then all three came indoors and the back door was locked. No hardship to me.

Depends on the kids and the circs. Ask 1 set of kids who don't say boo to a goose and no problem. Ask another two and first spend 5 minutes racing round the garden catching them whilst they run in opposite directions, catch and hold one whilst trying to grab other, eventually get inside, lock door, make sure key is kept on you, whilst you have a piddle. Of course, it also doesn't account for them having friends round when they would all have to come inside.

sticher

Spendless wrote: »

Depends on the kids and the circs. Ask 1 set of kids who don't say boo to a goose and no problem. Ask another two and first spend 5 minutes racing round the garden catching them whilst they run in opposite directions, catch and hold one whilst trying to grab other, eventually get inside, lock door, make sure key is kept on you, whilst you have a piddle. Of course, it also doesn't account for them having friends round when they would all have to come inside.

I agree, but I still think its a small inconvenience compared with the benefits of having a pond.

Oh and my two youngest are certainly NOT the type of kids who don't say boo to a goose, lol.:rotfl:

I also have to take precautions as I have an extremely large dog - not at all dangerous to children, but again I wouldn't take the risk when other children are visiting.

kr15snw

Just to comment on how someone said that sometimes discovering first hand about a danger can stop the child doing it forever. And how much I agree!

Someone I worked with had a son and when he was 18 months he couldnt stop going near the oven. Obviously she was worried as she didnt want him to hurt himself and kept telling him to come away etc. Well this continued for quite a while until one day she had her back turned for a few seconds and he touched the oven. Now its not hot enough to burn someone but its enough for anyone to go 'ooh thats hot' and pull back. The child cried, got a cuddle and has never been near it since!

Plus he used to love pulling the cd's out of the cd rack (one of those cheap wire ones). Until one day he pulled the rack onto him, once again cried, got a cuddle and has never done it since!

Sometimes I think experiencing why things are bad can help them learn first hand that they shouldnt go near them.

Obviously this doesnt work for a pond, but I just thought Id share.

Claudie

kr15snw wrote: »

Just to comment on how someone said that sometimes discovering first hand about a danger can stop the child doing it forever. And how much I agree!

Someone I worked with had a son and when he was 18 months he couldnt stop going near the oven. Obviously she was worried as she didnt want him to hurt himself and kept telling him to come away etc. Well this continued for quite a while until one day she had her back turned for a few seconds and he touched the oven. Now its not hot enough to burn someone but its enough for anyone to go 'ooh thats hot' and pull back. The child cried, got a cuddle and has never been near it since!

Plus he used to love pulling the cd's out of the cd rack (one of those cheap wire ones). Until one day he pulled the rack onto him, once again cried, got a cuddle and has never done it since!

Sometimes I think experiencing why things are bad can help them learn first hand that they shouldnt go near them.

Obviously this doesnt work for a pond, but I just thought Id share.

Sometimes I agree with that but being Devil's Advocate - I would still rather my son didn't touch a hot stove ever.

A friend of mine only had a stair gate at the top of the stairs as she wanted her child to learn to walk up stairs on her own. Her child fell from the top step and spent two days in Hospital very poorly. She did learn to walk the stairs but at what cost?!

I guess somewhere is a happy medium and we all have to do what we feel is right for our own family.

kr15snw

Claudie wrote: »

A friend of mine only had a stair gate at the top of the stairs as she wanted her child to learn to walk up stairs on her own. Her child fell from the top step and spent two days in Hospital very poorly. She did learn to walk the stairs but at what cost?!

Now I wouldnt see that as a 'well at least he learnt not to do it again' kind of situation (like the ones i mentioned). Hope she was ok!

spoilt_BUT_appreciate_it

vickyj wrote: »

My in laws have a pond and it terrifies me. Even my 8yo has had an accident and fallen in and as they are quite slippy there is no way he could have got out on his own

My in-laws also have a pond, our daughter is 5 this year and the (dreaded pond) is one of the major reasons why they have never looked after her.

My husband & our neice slipped into it the same day, last summer and I assure you my husband was not prancing around or messing about .... so it just goes to show.. that telling your child to be careful doesn't ensure their safety even if they do listen to you.

The frogs jumping in and out and the small fountain.. all add to a slight mist that spays over the surrounding areas of the pond, making it very slippery. Even without these interventions you still have the morning dew, frosty/icy or rainy/drizzly/damp days.

Not to mention the green algy substance.....

Spendless

kr15snw wrote: »

Just to comment on how someone said that sometimes discovering first hand about a danger can stop the child doing it forever. And how much I agree!

Someone I worked with had a son and when he was 18 months he couldnt stop going near the oven. Obviously she was worried as she didnt want him to hurt himself and kept telling him to come away etc. Well this continued for quite a while until one day she had her back turned for a few seconds and he touched the oven. Now its not hot enough to burn someone but its enough for anyone to go 'ooh thats hot' and pull back. The child cried, got a cuddle and has never been near it since!

Plus he used to love pulling the cd's out of the cd rack (one of those cheap wire ones). Until one day he pulled the rack onto him, once again cried, got a cuddle and has never done it since!

Sometimes I think experiencing why things are bad can help them learn first hand that they shouldnt go near them.

Obviously this doesnt work for a pond, but I just thought Id share.

I think you have to think of worse case scenario. Worst case scenario of my daughter touching something hot, is it hurts, she pulls hand away cos it hurts and gets a burn. Worst case scenario of her falling into a pond is that she may not be able to get herself out and may die.

I would love ceramic tiles in my hallway, but my daughter has fallen downstairs on 3 different occassions. Each time I have cushioned her fall. Next time I may not be there, worse case scenario of her cracking her head on floor tiles, she will die. We are sticking with carpet.

liney

My in-laws also have a pond, our daughter is 5 this year and the (dreaded pond) is one of the major reasons why they have never looked after her.

My husband & our neice slipped into it the same day, last summer and I assure you my husband was not prancing around or messing about .... so it just goes to show.. that telling your child to be careful doesn't ensure their safety even if they do listen to you.

The frogs jumping in and out and the small fountain.. all add to a slight mist that spays over the surrounding areas of the pond, making it very slippery. Even without these interventions you still have the morning dew, frosty/icy or rainy/drizzly/damp days.

Not to mention the green algy substance.....

But this is why you use a cover. Does anyone know a child who has falled through a cover or removed one to climb in? Uncovered ponds are dangerous, agreed, but so are fires without guards, and cars without child seats, stairs without gates yadda yadda yadda,

I am glad you decided to keep and cover; i am sure your children will enjoy.

Claudie

liney wrote: »

But this is why you use a cover. Does anyone know a child who has falled through a cover or removed one to climb in? Uncovered ponds are dangerous, agreed, but so are fires without guards, and cars without child seats, stairs without gates yadda yadda yadda,

I am glad you decided to keep and cover; i am sure your children will enjoy.

When the child of my husband's colleague drowned it was in a covered pond as I said earlier. I don't say that to be dramatic but it is what happened..I don't know what type of cover it was but is tragic and I don't think you can ever be too cautious.