How to make a pond child-safe?

clapham_mum · Postby **clapham_mum** » Mon May 09, 2011 1:26 pm

Hi

In our garden, we have a small fishing pond, it's laid in bricks on a hight of 0.5 meter. As we have a 1,5 year old son, we'd like to make it a bit child safe, as it won't be long before he knows how to climb onto the side of it to watch the fish..

We were thinking of buying a metal lattice to put on it, does anyone know where to buy this kind of cut to size things (around SW11)? Or does anyone have another idea how to solve this "problem"?

Regards

GardenRosie · Postby **GardenRosie** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:48 am

Hi there

You could try http://www.pondsafety.com/ - they will come and fit the safety system for you. They certainly make the pond safe, but you can see them through the water, and they need to be pressure washed atleast once a year... not the most pleasant of jobs!

Aside from that, why not get rid of the pond - add some drainage holes in the bricks at the sides and fill the pond to make a new planting bed, or (if its a strong wall) fit a trampoline and safety rail in the centre - you can plant around this with child friendly plants to make it look more like a pond and soften the edges. If you would still like some water in the garden there are loads of child friendly options, like steel balls with water cascading over the edge - perfect for small hands and there is no depth of water exposed as the reserve tank is concealed.

Good luck! If you would like me to come and take a look let me know - I am a Garden Designer - http://www.rosienottage.com or 07967 316259

All the best,

Rosie

clapham_mum · Postby **clapham_mum** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:24 pm

Hi Rosie,

Thanks for the advice, we are renting the house, so can't really get rid of the pond. But I'll take a look at the pondsafety website.
Do you know a DIY in the area who could make a cut to size metal lattice?

Rgs