4 Ways to Prevent Accidents Around Your Water Feature
Installing a water feature in your property is one good way to bring up its value and improve its look and atmosphere. More than just conversation starters, swimming pools, ponds, and bamboo garden fountains and accessories can make your home a more inviting place for other people and add more fun activities to your daily schedule.
At the same time, however, securing and caring for a water feature is an added responsibility. The pool or fountain will need regular cleaning and maintenance, but more than that, you have to be aware that water poses a danger to young children and pets. To prevent accidents and injuries, you need to think of safety while designing or deciding the elements that will go into your water feature.
Consider doing the following to ensure that everyone in your family will stay safe while appreciating the new addition to your property:
- Fence in the water feature or cover it with a heavy duty steel mesh. If you have small children at home, the best way to keep them out of the water is by putting a fence around the water feature. You can choose to install a fence around the pool, for example. A 1.1 m fence without gaps where the child can get stuck in or get through can do the job. Make sure there are no climbing aids beside the fence, too. If you have a babbling brook or a small pond, on the other hand, you can install a metal mesh over it to prevent kids from falling into the water. The mesh should be strong enough to carry the weight of a toddler and should have gaps to allow sunlight to reach the plants in the water. Most water feature suppliers sell this type of barrier.
- Consider water features that don’t have standing water. Among the safest water features you can install in your home is one that doesn’t have standing water, like a fountain with an underground basin. Disappearing water fountains, as these are also called, are a lot safer for children since these don’t have accessible water basins. At the same time, you can also go with a water fountain where the basin is on top of a pedestal and away from the reach of children, or a hanging fountain. Make sure the water fountain is securely set on the ground and won’t fall or topple over should a child try to climb it.
- Check electrical outlets near the fountain. Water safety is a primary concern around pools and fountains, but you shouldn’t forget to check for electrical issues, too. Water pumps run on electricity, and faulty outlets and wires around water can be a danger to everyone. It’s advised that you install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GCFI) outlets for fountain pumps. This type of outlet automatically shuts off once it detects a short. Also, instead of running extension cords above ground, bury them at least 12 inches underground.
- Install safety sensors around the pool area. Another way to know when someone gets in and out of your pool or other water features is by using safety sensors. There are different types of sensors for pools. You can go with a gate or door alarm, sidewall alarm, and floating buoy alarm. If you have fish or other water creatures in your pond, make sure that they won’t accidentally trigger the alarm. And while you’re at it, install lights in the pond or pool area, too, to improve visibility.
Even after you install or use these alarms and safety measures, it’s still imperative to talk to your kids about water safety once they are old enough to understand. Be consistent in following water safety rules and set a good example to them. This way, your entire family can have fun in your pond or around the garden fountain without getting into accidents or trouble.
