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4. You're worried about the safety of kids around your pond.
Well, you're right to be concerned. You should cut no corners when it comes to safety. Small children in particular enjoy exploring, they're not particularly stable when it comes to falling into stuff, and they have a diminished sense of danger. Even the shallowest of ponds can create a potential drowning risk for a small child.
You've basically got three choices. Either fill in the pond (you can temporarily do this with sand), cover it with a suitably strong mesh cover, or get a sturdy, and I mean, sturdy fence. When it comes to a choice between having a beautiful pond and a safety risk, or a safe garden but no pond, I'd go for the no pond option any day. You can always build another at a later date.
But if you are going to go for one of the other two options, cut no corners. If you're going to go for a cover for your pond, make sure it's a rigid mesh or grille structure that can hold at least the weight of the child (they're going to get heavier after all). Make sure it's properly secured, and check it frequently for deterioration. If you decide on a fence around your pond, make sure it's secure, that it's tall enough, and that there are no small child-sized gaps underneath it. You'd be amazed what a curious little imp can squeeze through. Ideally, you want the fence itself embedded into the ground as well as any posts. If it's going to have a gate, make sure it's on a spring with a self locking system so there's absolutely no danger of it being left open accidentally.
Remember, water is deceptively dangerous. Cut no corners when it comes to safety. |
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