Safety Measures for Backyard Water Features
Don’t overthink this, just be aware
Ensuring safety around a backyard pond is important, especially if you have children or pets visiting your water garden. But don’t stress yourself out. We know that as a parent you want everything to be as safe as possible. Below are a few safety measures to consider in your backyard.
Any helpful building tips?
Build shallow, gradually sloping edges around your pond. While sharp edges can be dramatic and increase your pond volume, gradually sloping edges help if your child or pet accidentally slips into the pond. This may mean you need to build a larger pond in order to incorporate these gradual edges and still allow for a working pond system.
Another measure to consider is using a rougher stone around the edges of your pond instead of a smoother style river stone. This little change allows for little feet to get better traction around your pond edges. A small step you can take to help prevent a small mis-step.
How do I keep an eye on my pond?
Keep your pond close to home. If you’re concerned about safety, don’t build your pond in out of the way areas around your yard. Instead, get it closer to regular viewing traffic. Placing your water feature closer to a main window that allows an unobstructed view will help you keep an eye on the pond area for easy supervision. If you already have a pond out of the way, or you’d just like an added layer of security, installing motion-capture device like a RIng camera will catch everything you need from your phone, as well as give you notifications of movement around your water feature (added bonus: a motion-capture video camera could also help you watch any local Minnesota wildlife that passes through!)
What are some other preventative steps?
Maintenance. Seasonal pond maintenance will allow you to keep an eye on excessive algae build-up, loose stones, or other aspects of your pond that could lead to a slip. A well-kept pond area reduces the safety concerns you may have in your backyard.
One of the best preventative measures you can take is to educate your children. Helping them to understand the dangers of playing around water alone and without the supervision of a parent or responsible adult could be the most simple safety measure you can take. If needed, establish some basic rules for your children to follow. A pond is a wonderful treasure to be enjoyed, but enjoyed responsibly.
What if I’m still worried?
If you’re still worried, installing a temporary fence around your pond can prevent accidental falls. There are many fence materials that allow for a clear line of sight while still providing a safety net around your pond to keep your children and pets at a safer viewing distance.
By implementing these safety measures, you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of your backyard pond while minimizing risks and ensuring a safe environment for everyone.
Haven’t Built Your Dream Pond Yet?
If you haven’t built your dream Superior Pond yet, would it maybe make sense to instead consider a pondless waterfall? A pondless waterfall gives you the beauty and delightful sounds of water without the standing water of a pond. Not sure what a pondless waterfall is? Learn the quick pitch with our helpful graph!
