Water Safety

Tenants often exchange into homes with gardens after living in accommodation without their own garden, the majority of tenants often buy paddling pools for their children water butts to store water for gardening and in some cases build or use existing ponds.
Water holds a particular fascination for children under the age of five. So never leave your child unattended where there is water, even a small bucket of water is a danger!

• Children in the age range of 1-3 are at a higher risk than older children as the Childs age increases the risk decreases due to a Childs understanding of water.
• Children in the age range of 4 and over begin to understand the concept of danger and often listen to warnings given to them by their peers.

A shallow pool of water can pose a serious risk to a small child looking at it from a Childs perspective the ratio is one in 3 a 600mm deep pool will be similar to an adult falling into 3 times the depth of water. A child would also panic and not be able to climb out!

It is advisable to fill all ponds with sand or soils parents can not watch their children 100% of the day, though if you wish to retain a pool or pond make sure it has a good secure cover to avoid tragic accidents!

The Laburnum Tree

If the property you are moving to has a laburum you will need to decide whether to keep it or not especially if you have children or grandchildren visiting, below is some useful information.

• The Laburnum Tree, all parts of the plant are poisonous.
• Family: Leguminosae (Pea family)
• Synonyms: Cytisus Laburnam (LINN.), Yellow Laburnum, Common Laburnum, Golden Rain tree, Peascod
• Never to touch the black seeds contained within the pods as they contain an alkaloid poison.
• Symptoms of poisoning by Laburnum root or seed are intense sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements and dilated pupils.
• Laburnum seeds are bitter in taste though often appeal to children.

Cases of poisoning are usually dealt with by treating various symptoms rather than an antidote, which is quite rare today as awareness of the risks involved in growing these attractive yellow weeping trees has grown.

If after reading this you decide to keep your tree it is advised that during the autumn fencing is errected around it to prevent children gaining access to the tree.