Pond safety

Ponds are lovely to look at and great for wildlife.

But sadly, they pose a serious risk to young children. Garden ponds are involved in one in four (26%) of all child drownings in the home.

You have very little time to act if your child falls in a pond. Even if they survive, they can be left with long-term, life-changing injuries.

How to stay safe

All parents and carers know that it’s almost impossible to keep an eye on your child at every single moment of the day –no matter how hard you try.

But if you’re with your young child and there’s a pond nearby - whether that’s in a garden or park or out in the countryside - it’s vital to supervise them as closely as you can.

If you have your own garden pond, we recommend you take practical steps to make it as safe as possible.

Here are some options:

Put a grille on your pond

Cover your pond using a rigid metal grille (flimsychicken wire isn't up to the job). Make sure you check it regularly to ensure it's secure and sturdy enough to keep young children safe from the water.

Build a fence around your pond

Make sure that it's at least 1.1 metres high and that access points, like gates, are kept locked.

But don't let a fence give a false sense of security - keep in mind that young children can be very good climbers.

Fill your pond

If you're looking for peace of mind, this is the option to go for. You can keep supporting wildlife by turning your pond into a flower bed. Or, for happy kids, you could make it into a sandpit.

What to do in an emergency

Call 999 and explain the situation as clearly and calmly as you can.
If you know how and it's appropriate, perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and EAV (expired air ventilation, or the kiss of life).
If you suspect a drowning event - i.e a child has been submerged in the water for any period of time - seek medical advice, even if they appear well. They may need to be observed for a short period in hospital.

Health and Safety Membership

RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders