pond safety

[arthurradley]

am moving into house with medium sized fish pond- so far have seen the plastic grid systems (which in theory support full weight of adult) and also seen steel covers that are custom made to fit over pond- very artistic effect which forms a kind of dome over pond. Any advice from others who have ponds? Thanks in advance...........

do you actually want a pond? I would fill it in (on grounds of both safety & not wanting the bother of maintenance)

I would put a fence around it.

The grid systems are good. I don't have one myself, but I've worked in gardens which have them, including ones that are open to the public, so they must work. Done well, you wouldn't know they are there unless looking directly into the pond.

we did think of filling it in, but is deep and kids (and my dh) love the fish. will think about fence mousymouse - would need to decide on height- guess if we painted it green it wouldn't be too obtrusive.

friends have a 2foot chicken wire fence around their pond which looks quite nice with some seasonal climbers (peas and others).

We had a small pond in our last garden and 3 kids managed to enjoy it happily without any issues.

I know there will be loads on here who say fill it in, but I thought it was a wonderful thing to have.

@ friends house with open pond on weekend. Too many kids running around the garden for my liking.
I would fill it in

don't worry IWantSummer- leaving it open isn't an option- will be fenced, covered or gridded..... just not sure which!

I would go for the steel grid just under the surface of the water. As RG says, you can't really see them and they don't detract from the appearance or maintenance of the pond.

I'm another one who taught pond safety rather than fencing. My personally feeling that fenced ponds lead to complacency - there was a tragedy locally here not that long ago where the child was never taught water safety and one day got through the fence.

that is very interesting Lizcat and GTAACigarette- I think my own 2 would be fine, but am concerned about visiting children, etc.

I put a fence around it, as I was too worried about other people's children falling in ! It is still there, as people keep having more babies, mine are 7 and 9 now

I still hope to remove it one day...

how high is your fence Chandon- wooden? chicken wire?

it is the typical dark green garden wire stuff (don't know how to describe), metal thin poles every metre. A bigger child could push it over with force, but could not accidentally walk into the pond IYSWIM. There is wooden entrance gate with a lock.

I have had children leaning against it without pushing it over. It ahs been there 5 years now.

My main concern is toddlers and babies, and they cannot push through.

HTH

it is about 1 metre high.

it is about 1 metre high.