Home Safety Policy Statement
Water
Garden Ponds
RoSPA recommends that garden ponds are avoided while children are small and learning to crawl, walk and explore. Ideally garden ponds should not be constructed until children are over the age of 5 years.
RoSPA recommends that existing ponds are filled in, fenced or covered with mesh if they are accessible to young children.
NB An average of 8 children under the age of 5 years drown in garden ponds each year. Children are at a higher risk of drowning when they visit other people’s gardens1. The supervision of children is essential when they are in the vicinity of water.
Bath Water Temperatures
RoSPA recommends that hot water at the point of delivery to baths should be no more than 46°C to help prevent scalding. This can only be achieved by fitting a thermostatic valve at the point of delivery. (Domestic hot water needs to be stored above 70°C to prevent the development of Legionella)
RoSPA recommends that the temperature of bath and shower water is always tested before use. In the case of babies, children and older people the carer should do this. This is most easily done by immersing an elbow into the water. The elbow is more sensitive than the hand.
RoSPA never quotes a recommended water temperature for bathing as it is not practical to take a thermometer to the bath and devices which change colour cannot be relied upon.
[1] DTI, Drowning Accidents in the garden involving children under five. July 2000
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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