Dragons in your Garden

Dragons in your Garden

Enhancing your garden: Wildlife ponds

If you have concerns about the safety of small children around ponds there are steps you can take to make a pond safe but so that it is still beneficial to wildlife.

These measures only need to be temporary, whilst children are still small. Once they're older, barriers can be removed, promoting the pond as a place for enjoying and learning about the natural world.

Fences
A fence with a lockable gate is a very effective barrier. The fence should be at least 1.1m high and made of strong wood, unclimbable grating or vertical railings no more than 10cm apart. A small gap between the ground and the fence will mean animals can still access the water.

Pond grilles
A rigid mesh or grille installed over the water provides a secure cover. The grille should remain above the surface of the water and be able to easily support the weight of a child. You can even make a feature of it by installing a creatively designed cover.

Design
The design of your pond can also help - the gently sloping sides that are so beneficial to wildlife also make it easy for people to get our should they fall in.

Education and awareness
These are just as important as physical barriers in helping children stay safe. Young children should never be left unsupervised near any large container holding water, including large garden pots, paddling pools and ponds, and slightly older children should be encouraged to respect water.