RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

June 22, 1999
RoSPA FEARS OVER GARDEN WATER FEATURES

CHILD SAFETY WEEK JUNE 21-27

With gardening growing in popularity, RoSPA today warned parents about the dangers water features pose to small children.

Last year nine children aged under five drowned in garden ponds in the UK, and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents fears that extra interest in gardening could create new problems.

The Society wants people to use the safety action zone theme of Child Safety Week to spot potential water dangers in gardens and deal with them.

"TV programmes and magazines give people new ideas about using water features in their gardens, and there are now many more on sale in garden centres. Some of them may not be suitable for gardens where small children play," Peter Cornall, RoSPA Head of Water Safety, said.

"Children have drowned in as little as three inches of water. There have been tragedies in the past involving rainwater that has gathered in buckets and dustbins, or on pool covers. Children have even drowned in fish tanks.

"It is vital that parents are aware of this danger, if they are thinking of creating a water feature in their garden. They have to realise that while it may be extremely attractive, water can have a fatal fascination for children."

RoSPA’s advice is to fill in garden ponds while children are small. If it is impossible to do so, then access for children must be prevented.

"It’s all too easy for a child to wander out into the garden when a parent’s back is turned or when the door or telephone is being answered," Peter Cornall said.