Playing both inside and outside the home is an integral part of a child’s development, but it’s important that children do so safely, especially around water. Whilst lots of fun can be had with water in the home and garden, easy access to water in familiar spaces can sometimes make it easy to forget the risks it poses
Supervise at all times
Always keep your child within arm's reach when they’re in or near water. A drowning child can’t speak or control their arms, so constant supervision from an adult is vital.
Never leave your child unattended or under the supervision of child siblings, as they're too young to understand the dangers.
After use cover it
After your child has enjoyed splashing about in their paddling pool, empty the water straight away to avoid accidents. For larger pools and hot tubs, ensure that the cover is securely replaced immediately after use to prevent children from accidentally falling in when exploring.
Fence it, gate it or grill it
Ensure garden gates are always locked. Install mesh or a grill that can support a child’s weight over ponds, water features, troughs, and water butts and rain barrels used to collect rainwater from rooftops for watering gardens.
Empty it, turn it
When the fun has stopped, it’s best to clear up your space straight away. Turn off the hosepipe at the tap to prevent young children from accessing it and turn over paddling pools to prevent them from being accidentally refilled if it rains. Clear away or turn over any other water containers, such as buckets and containers, in your garden, as they can also be pose a hazard.
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