Wired-GOV Newswire (news from other organisations)
Printable version

RoSPA - Cover it, fence it or, even better, fill it - warm weather prompts pond safety advice

Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends of families with children under the age of six are being encouraged to consider fencing off, covering or, even better, filling in their garden ponds to help prevent childhood drowning.

As much of the country basks in its first period of very warm weather this year, family safety charity RoSPA hopes that all those who have young children visiting their gardens will think about taking steps to separate children from water.

On average five children under the age of six die every year from drowning after falling into a garden pond, many after escaping supervision for just a few seconds. There is also an unknown number who have life-changing injuries.

Although many parents take action to remove the risk of ponds from their own homes, these accidents also happen in the gardens of those related to, or friends of, the children who die.

David Walker, leisure safety manager at RoSPA, said: “Children under six are most vulnerable to drowning in the home and garden as they are naturally inquisitive and drawn to water, and at this age cannot get themselves out of trouble if they fall in.

“Once they reach the age of six this vulnerability disappears, so any changes to garden ponds need only be temporary.

“RoSPA recommends, as the best solution, filling in the pond and removing the risk entirely. Some families create sandpits, and we’d love to hear what others have chosen to do. At the very least, ponds should be fenced off securely or covered with a rigid grille to prevent children getting to the water without an adult’s help.

“Remember, it only takes seconds for a child to escape attention, make their way to the water and tragedy to strike.”

Good supervision of young children around water is crucial in preventing accidents. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly so RoSPA also advises that water features, such as ponds, water butts and pools, are checked first if a young child does escape attention.

For photographs and other requests email: pressoffice@rospa.com or call 0121 248 2135.

Note to broadcasters: RoSPA has its own ISDN studio.

Share this article

Latest News from
Wired-GOV Newswire (news from other organisations)

Facing the Future...find out more