How and why to keep your pond safe for children

There are many options on the market, with solid grid systems that sit under the water, to metal frameworks and meshes to pond safety netting, all of which have variying benefits and drawbacks.

This type of pond cover was amongst the earliest to be pioneered. The solid, injection moulded plastic grids sit on top of upright legs, aluminium framework and supports. They are by and large incredibly strong systems which can be fitted to any shape and size pond.

They can be installed as a DIY system but are often very complicated, so it is usually better to opt in for the installation service. Your installation would be carried out by trained fitters, often with guarantees and insurances on the product and its installation. You'll also have to book in a date that's convenient for fitting and delivery.

It's a larger cost but will be a permanent fixture in your pond, preventing accidents from occuring for as long as you keep the pond. Access will be impaired, so again you'll need help detaching the grids from the base structure.

There's a lot of fun to be had with this type of pond safety system. Take a look on Google for photos of this type of installation with almost biblical images of adults walking on water!

Depending on whether you like the look of the grids themselves, you can fit these just below or above the water level. As seasons change, water levels will rise and fall and you'll often see them whether you've chosen a below water level fitting or not.

Possibly the most expensive of all types of pond cover, due to the larger material cost, shipping and manufacturing process. They can be extremely attractive features in your garden, rivalling a well constructed pergola or pagoda.

If you have a local blacksmith and deep pockets, then there are even more social and aesthetic benefits to this option.

Equally, you may prefer the look of a pond unencumbered by structures sitting above the water level, protruding above.

Amongst the cheapest of options and certainly one of the shortest term fixes with often the crudest of appearances. Welding mesh, chicken wire or general wire mesh sheeting can be used to cover raised wall ponds, adding rudimental protection without necessarily any strength.

These type of meshes, unless powder coated or painted, corrode or rust quickly further undermining the strength. They're perfect in the very short term as a visual deterrant and for protecting against very small impacts but perhaps not as effective.

There are many varying thicknesses, mesh sizes and tensile strengths available. Each have their own purpose. Whilst we do indeed sell our own (see Bull Nets Pond Safety Kit), it wouldn't be fair to oversell this without first presenting the other options available.

Smaller meshes, with around 10mm x 10mm wide holes and 1-2mm thick strands are perfect for keeping birds and leaves out of your pond, helping to protect any fish below. They're lightweight, affordable and often are made from UV-stable polypropylene, making them weather proof too. However, this isn't necessarily always true. With a lot of really cheap nets, often imported from the far east, you get what you pay for and ultimately you will have to replace these.

These same small-mesh nets may even come with complimentary plastic pegs to anchor the net with. Again, absolutely fine for holding the net in place but in terms of strength, they won't amount to very much at all. Some offer metal tent pegs that would simply slide out upon impact - just like on every windy camping holiday you've ever been on. This and the tensile strength of thin mesh netting is the overall reason why they're only really suitable as use for keeping birds and leaves out, rather than children.

Much thicker meshes are available, some as high as 8mm thick with 50mm x 50mm holes. They're a little more to handle and have a weight issue too. The heavier the mesh, the more support that safety net in itself would require resulting in a larger fixing cost and effort to install.

There are also knotted options available, which appear strong initially but possibly may weaken over time as the knots split under tension - this can happen!

Lastly, there are woven safety netting systems which are a direct hybrid of industrial and domestic use safety nets. For example, Bull Nets' 4mm thick net is thick enough to bear large weight and impacts but light enough to not need excessive support. They're also weather proof, rot proof and warp proof. The meshes won't keep normal sized leaves out of your pond but they'll make access too difficult for herons to bother attacking fish. If you're concerned about leaves falling in but mainly the safety of your child, you may want a smaller mesh net to go with this to keep the leaves out.

With the correct non-slip fixings, your pond is instantly safe for children (and adults) whilst also accessible for maintenance. Bull Nets' fixing sets come with weather proof detachable clips, making the net removable at a moment's notice - all without compromising the strength and safety of the net. Unlike tent pegs or concrete pilings, they stay anchored even against wind or impact and won't slip!