Keeping Children Safe Around Water Features: 5 Crucial Design Elements

Landscaping projects around Australian commercial buildings commonly include water features. Ponds, lakes, fountains and waterfalls all add eye-catching design appeal that can boost the aesthetics of any commercial building, but safety is always the top priority. It's important to remember that visitors will often bring their kids with them, and children are at high risk when it comes to water features. Make sure everyone can enjoy your water feature safely, and incorporate the five following crucial safety design elements.

Good natural surveillance

It doesn't take long for a child to drown in water. A child can lose consciousness within two minutes, which will quickly result in permanent brain damage or death. Sadly, experts estimate that poor supervision causes most drowning, and ninety percent of children who drown were under supervision at the time of the accident.

As such, designers must make it as easy as possible for parents and supervising adults to keep children in sight around water features. There are lots of ways to do this. For example, you should always make sure that there is a clear line of sight between a seating area and a body of water. Low planting under sight lines can also improve the look of the area, without making it harder to spot children.

Hard and soft barriers

Of course, children are less likely to fall into water if a barrier protects them. Certain types of barriers may spoil the aesthetics of your water feature, but there are creative ways around the problem. A soft barrier can still promote safety without changing the look of your water feature. For example, shallow, gently sloping beaches present less of a hazard to a child, while garden beds may discourage children from approaching the water.

You should also consider the appeal of hard barriers to children. For example, ledges and walls near the edge of the water can encourage kids to climb. As such, you should avoid design elements that can lead to dangerous behaviour near the water.

Well-defined access

People will often want to walk next to your water feature, so it's important to make sure they have ample, safe access. Narrow paths can increase the risk that somebody will fall into the water, so find ways to make as much room as possible. What's more, tight corners and hidden bends are dangerous, particularly for kids on bikes, so only incorporate gentle curves into your design, unless you plan to put a suitable barrier in place.

No objects that lure people to the water's edge

Children are naturally curious, so certain objects can lure little people towards a water hazard. Think carefully about where to put play equipment or objects that will appeal to a small child. You should place these features well away from water, unless you also plan to put a physical barrier in place. Remember that kids love to climb, so even large ornamental rocks can quickly become a hazard around a water feature.

Crucial engineering features like drainage covers and grates can also appeal to curious children. Make sure these features are child-friendly. For example, you need to make sure that holes and apertures cannot trap small legs or arms.

Excellent signage and lighting

Don't assume that people will only use the area during the day. Even if the building is only accessible during office hours, people may still walk through your grounds, especially in open areas. As such, you need to make sure you include lighting that exposes trip hazards and water features. If necessary, use signs to warn people about the potential danger, and make sure your signage is visible at night.

Water features are increasingly common around commercial and public buildings, but these design elements can create a safety hazard. Talk to a commercial landscaping specialist in your area for more advice.


Share