Garden Machinery
Garden Leisure
- Greenhouse Heaters
- Loungers
- Midgeaters
- Gas Barbecues
- Charcoal Barbecues
- Masonry Barbecues
- Furniture Sets
- Benches
- Greenhouses
- Water and Light
- Garden Sheds
- Gazebos
- Firepits
- Wildlife Boxes
- Rock and Stone
- Weather Vanes
- Rabbit Hutches
- Urns & Planters
- Sundials
- Birdbaths
- Garden Swings
- Climbing Frames
- Croquet Sets
- Wildlife Cameras
- Bird Feed
Water feature safety
It is possible for a small child to drown in two inches of water, which makes building a pond a serious business. But we should not allow a very low level of risk to influence us against ponds, because their benefits are so huge:
- Children learn to be near water safely
- Animals and plants enjoy the environment and children learn to recognise their names and behaviours
- Water is therapeutic, calming the mind and relaxing the spirit
- Gardens with ponds are better for biodiversity and for keeping native plants and animals alive
- The constant variety of a pond is unmatched by any other feature.
You may choose to put a mesh screen, on a wooden frame, over a formal pond if very small children are visiting. Informal ponds can be fenced rustic fencing with plants growing over and around it looks lovely.
Probably the best safety advice is to teach children to play near water safely by showing them how easy it would be to slip into the water, and how they should use plants near the edge to pull themselves out. Should your pond be unusually deep, you may wish to consider putting a rope around its edges, under the water, for anybody who falls in to get hold of.
Remember that if you cant get out easily, nor can children, nor beloved creatures such as hedgehogs and baby birds which fall in ponds quite often. A ramped exit, like a wooden deck that droops into the water, and has batten nailed across it horizontal to help small hands (and paws) grip, can be a literal lifesaver.
