Ponds and concerns about safety
The number of accidental drownings in ponds is low, but small children are particularly at risk of drowning in garden ponds when there is a lapse in concentration by the supervising adult. Children aged between one and two years are most at risk as at this age a child’s mobility rapidly increases but co-ordination remains poor. It is not until the age of four or five that children can begin to understand the dangers and warnings. As a child’s age increases, the risk decreases (see RoSPA website for more information).
What you must do
- Don't let children pond dip unsupervised
- Always be aware of dangers when visiting OTHER PEOPLE'S houses
- Talk to children to make them aware of possible dangers
- Remain vigilant. A large proportion of drownings are the result of accidental immersion in ponds due to slips and falls from the bank
After dipping
- Make sure you wash your hands afterwards, especially before handling food.
- If you use your kitchen sieve to do the Big Pond Dip make sure you wash it thoroughly if you are going to use it again. Or ideally get a different sieve that you just use for pond dipping.
