Garden water safety: protect children, pets and wildlife

Red and Howling

Water is easy to overlook in a garden. A pond or swimming pool is an obvious hazard, but buckets, watering cans, plant saucers and wheelbarrows can also collect enough water to put  children, pets or wildlife at risk.

Take a few minutes to walk around your garden at ground level. Look at it from the perspective of a toddler, a curious pet or a small animal searching for water. Check for containers that could fill with rain, slippery surfaces, steep edges and places where an animal could fall in but struggle to climb out.

Check your garden for hidden water hazards

Water can collect in places you may not think to check. Look for:

• Buckets, tubs and watering cans
• Water butts and rain barrels
• Wheelbarrows and storage containers
• Plant saucers and trays
• Paddling pools and swimming pools
• Tarpaulins that sag and hold rainwater
• Bird baths and shallow wildlife dishes
• Dripping outdoor taps and puddles
• Open drains, gullies and troughs

A container does not need to be large to be dangerous. Small children and animals can get into difficulty, especially if the sides are slippery or steep.

Check your garden after rain, too. Water may gather in a folded tarpaulin, an upturned pot or a hollow in the ground. Fix dripping taps promptly, as they can create persistent puddles and muddy areas.

Store buckets and watering cans safely

• When you are not using buckets, barrels, troughs, storage tubs or wheelbarrows, empty them and store them upside down or under cover. This prevents them from filling with rainwater while you are away.
• Keep watering cans empty when they are not in use. If you need to leave a container outside, use a secure, well-fitting lid. Choose water butts with a child-resistant or pet-resistant lid, and check that lids are secure.
• Do not leave ladders, steps, stacked pots or other objects beside water containers. Children and pets may use them to climb up and reach the water. Move anything climbable away from water butts, ponds and pools.
• Provide pets with fresh drinking water in a stable, heavy bowl. This may make them less likely to drink from buckets, ponds or other garden water sources. If pets have drip-feed bottles, check they are not blocked or frozen.

Make bird baths and water dishes safer

• Keep water dishes for wildlife shallow (2cm is enough) and add stones, so bees and butterflies can land safely. Rough surfaces are better to prevent slips (boil and rinse regularly, to remove slippery algae).
• Place bird baths 1 to 2 metres above ground, with a 360 degree view away from shrubs, so birds can see predators, when drinking or bathing.
• Fill bird baths with fresh water daily, and use a plastic-free scrub brush keep it free from dirt and algae (avoid chemicals).

Barn Owl Trust has tips for farmers on how to keep owls safe from open troughs and containers, with info on how to make floats (wood doesn’t work, as it sinks when waterlogged). 

Keep children and pets safe near garden ponds

• Wildlife ponds should have gently sloping sides or shallow shelves that allow animals to get in and out. Add stones or other stable, rough surfaces around the edge to provide footholds. Avoid steep, slippery edging stones, which can make it harder for people and animals to regain their footing after a fall.
• Keep children and pets away from ponds unless they are closely supervised. A low fence or secure gate can help prevent unsupervised access, particularly for young children. Make sure the barrier is suitable for the age and size of the children and animals in your household.
• Keep at least one section of the pond edge visible and easy to reach. Dense plants can provide excellent cover for wildlife, but thick growth around the entire edge may hide the waterline from people walking nearby. Balance planting with clear sightlines.

Reduce risks near pools and paddling pools

Choose paddling pools with shallow sides, set on level ground, and empty after each use. Don’t let pets drink pool water (and choose natural cleaners). 

Rake off algae in natural swimming ponds, and use sloping sides and rough liners, for grip. Keep pools covered when not in use (fence with gates and use a cover, when not in use).

Pools are not just drowning hazards, but chlorine can harm permeable skin of amphibians.

• Frog Log was invented by a US wildlife biologist, and has wonderful reviews. It’s placed around pool decks to allow quick escape for small critters. Use the recommended number, based on pool size. Can be used for automatic and solar covers, and only takes minutes to install.
• If used with Critter Skimmer (which prevents small creatures getting sucked into skimmers), FrogLog recommends turning off the skimmer at night (or if regulations only allow brief shutdown, to ‘cycle off’ at dusk).

Protect wildlife around drains and gullies

Use drain covers to keep curious creatures safe (if they fall in, Tiggywinkles says the only solution is to gently remove with two pairs of pliers to attach to spines, then take to wildlife rescue to check for injuries/burns).

ACO Wildlife Gully is a stainless steel ladder that migrating amphibians and reptiles can use, to escape from drainage gullies. Couple with their ACO Guide Wall, or ACO Wildlife Kerb systems. The weighting bars prevent the ladder from rising, during heavy rainfall (one pack is enough for 25 ladders)

What to do if you find a trapped creature in water

• If you find a wild animal trapped in a drain, pond or pool, contact a local wildlife rescue for advice as soon as possible. If the animal is in immediate danger, explain the situation and follow the rescuer’s instructions.
• Avoid handling wildlife unless you need to act to prevent immediate harm and can do so safely. Some animals may bite or scratch when frightened, and an injured animal can be harmed further by well-intentioned handling.
• If you have already rescued an animal from water, it may still need professional assessment. Contact a wildlife rescue or veterinary practice for advice, particularly if the animal is cold, exhausted, injured or struggling to breathe. Do not assume it is fine simply because it has climbed out.