Backyard Water Garden Safety Tips

When you're planning a backyard water garden, safety is the most important thing to consider. This is especially true if young children or pets will frequent the backyard water garden.

BackyardWaterGarden: Safety Tips - Safety for Children

Even a few inches of water can be a hazard to small children. Toddlers and infants alike love the water so make sure you consider this when designing your backyard water garden.

If you have small children, you might want to consider a fountain or mini-pool for your backyard water garden instead of a pond. These features do not have open water surfaces and will not be hazardous to small children.

If you do want to have a pond in your backyard water garden, make it inaccessible to small children. A gate or fence around the area can be a great choice if you have your heart set on a pond.

BackyardWaterGarden: Safety Tips - Electrical Safety

Electricity in your backyard water garden is always a potential hazard. Water and electricity can be a lethal combination if not properly maintained. Follow these electrical safety tips to prevent accidents.

Lighting and pumps for water features in your backyard water garden often come in the form of kits and can be easily installed. These kits usually work with a transformer that reduces the voltage, adding extra safety. The transformer should be placed inside and as near the wall socket as possible.

Make sure you follow the directions when installing electrical features in your backyard water garden. If you are in doubt, have an electrician check the connection for you or install it for you. Also, remember that the equipment must be properly maintained and serviced at regular intervals to ensure everything is working properly.

All cables should be buried and protected by some type of armored casing. This will also help prevent accidents in your backyard water garden.
If you have larger fountains and/or waterfalls as a part of your backyard water garden, they will require higher voltage connections. These features should be installed by a professional electrician.

You should always check to make sure that electrical equipment is safe to use outdoors before installation. Switch off and disconnect all electrical equipment before you handle it in any way to prevent accidental shock. Make sure the cables and connectors you use in your backyard water garden are water proof before using them.

If you follow these safety tips, you will have a safe and enjoyable backyard water garden that your family will enjoy for years.