Neighbours' children and ponds

fluffnutter

If we are to take the approach that all things that pose a danger to children should be removed from their paths, then we would certainly have no cars on the road.

If a child is young enough that an uncovered pond poses a real danger, then that child shouldn't be unsupervised. And it's not the OP's job to supervise her neighbour's children.

I think you're being incredibly conscientious, OP. You've acknowledged you don't have your own children and you're asking for advice. If only we were all that considerate. I would return your consideration by ensuring my kids don't run wild in your garden and then blame you if anything unpleasant happens.

geerex

lostinrates wrote: »

How do the familes of Venice or Amsterdam, for example, cope?

They live in societies where there are a less significant number of feeble minded idiots...perhaps?

seven-day-weekend

robotrobo wrote: »

may be so ! , but get a fence around it & also put a net over it!, good chance that if a wandering child who falls in does not drown.
Especially as you already know that children live & play in that area.
It shows to me that you have no children!.

A net over a wildlife pond means that some of the wildlife (e.g. frogs, toads and newts), will not be able to access the pond, nor other wildlife, foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels etc, be able to drink from it. Seeing as how the whole point of a wildlife pond is to attract wildlife, this seems a little bit pointless .

A fenced off area should be sufficient. Put a notice with WILDLIFE POND - CAUTION! and a lock on the gate, tell your neighbours and then it's up to them to keep their children out of your garden. They can't say they didn't know about it.

The OP has as much right to have a pond in her garden as the neighbours have to have children, bearing in mind that their children should not be in her garden anyway, without her permission.

We have a wildlife pond in our garden which is older than our son, we had it when he was small and just fenced it off so he couldn't get to it. When he got old enough for it not to be a danger we took the fence down. Simple.

Enjoy your pond OP x

FBaby

lostinrates wrote: »

How do the familes of Venice or Amsterdam, for example, cope?

How does this compare with a garden pond? I doubt toddlers are allowed to play alone anywhere near the rivers anyway!

Guest101

FBaby wrote: »

How does this compare with a garden pond? I doubt toddlers are allowed to play alone anywhere near the rivers anyway!

Pedantic but *canals.

fluffnutter

FBaby wrote: »

How does this compare with a garden pond? I doubt toddlers are allowed to play alone anywhere near the rivers anyway!

Precisely. And nor should they be allowed to play alone near garden ponds.

crazycatlady1984

If it is a wildlife pond, remember that it is all in the design - animals such as hedgehogs, rodents and even cats and foxes can drown in a pond if it is built in a way that they cannot climb out - cats/foxes etc can swim but sadly in this instance they will just tread water until they are exhausted.

Therefore, wildlife ponds are designed with very staggered edges, with lots of foot holes and grips etc for climbing out. I know somebody has already pointed out that, sadly, a child can drown in a very small amount of water, but if you design it correctly any child that is capable of walking into your garden and falling into your pond should also be capable of climbing out.

I would also defo put a fence up if I was you. Fence up, and cleverly designed shallow pond I reckon.

FBaby

Guest101 wrote: »

Pedantic but *canals.

No problem, I was looking for the word and had a brain freeze moment so used the closest alternative not expecting to be picked up on it but thanks for pointing it out anyway

REEN

I had to fill my pond in because a locked gate, 5ft wall and 4ft fence couldn't keep the kids out. A neighbour saw them taking frogs away in a bucket, I don't like to think what these particular brats wanted them for. In the process they punctured the pond liner, broke an ornament and scattered the plants all over the garden. I miss my pond, but it was a kid magnet.

RebekahR

Guest101 wrote: »

I suggest the following:

A sign: 4 foot high, in bright red ( with flood lights ofcourse incase it's dark ) - warning there is a pond in the property.

Also provide life jackets, a rescue ring, a helicopter landing pad should air rescue be required.

Ofcourse a 6 foot wall ( if razor wire is required add warning notice as above )

Perhaps a watchtower with 24/7 monitoring. ( the machine gun is optional as HSE may find there is risk of harm...)

- I guess the days of- 'hi neighbour, I'm putting a pond in my garden, I have no problem with the kids wandering over occasionally, but you might want to keep an eye on them as kids can be curious and ponds abit dangerous. How was your weekend?' - are long gone.

Most sensible post of the entire thread! :rotfl::T