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Lisbet
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 2:10pm | IP Logged
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We may be making an offer on a house this weekend - We may have a financing glitch that could put us off until next week, but either way, we will soon be offering on this house.
It has a pond. It is on 5 acres, the pond is just about 30 ft. from the back deck. First order of business will be to fence it off.
I grew up with a pond, but it was just my brother and I. My big kids are SO EXCITED at the idea of this - fishing, rowing, swimming, etc... I must admit - those things will be so much fun. I am worried that a good solid fence will offer false security for the littles. Anyone else have a pond with little ones?
At least I won't have to worry about traffic - it is on a dead end dirt road! 
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JaysFamily
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 2:53pm | IP Logged
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Would the Infant Swim Rescue lessons be an option for your family? My son has taken them every year since he was 16 months old, and we've been more than happy with them.
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stacykay
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 4:36pm | IP Logged
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I would wonder, too, about a fence being false security. But if it were really high? My sister is in FL and has a pool. For my nephews' safety, she had a fence installed on the deck around the pool, door chimes installed (so if a door were opened to sneak out, she would know,) and the boys went through the infant swim rescue classes that Jaysfamily mentioned, above. The float they are taught would be helpful, but I remember my sis saying the boys were taught to get to the edge of the pool to pull themselves up or hang onto until help came.
I think it would require lots of education for all the olders as to do's and don'ts for youngers' safety.
I'm sorry if I sound like a wet blanket. My dh has called me a professional worrier, or "PW" for short.  It does sound like a lot of fun, otherwise! 
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 5:11pm | IP Logged
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I think I would want to do a play yard for the littles.. good solid fence.. padlocked gate (so that no one could accidentally leave it open) not climbable.. so wood fence with the structural part on the outside not inside (only smooth boards on the inside).. and with a door to the house.. that would give you a safe place to let them go outside.
As long as you realized that littles could still slip out another door or such. I wouldn't think of the fence as false security.. and it would be affordable doing just a play area vs a pond 
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 9:44pm | IP Logged
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A wood fence sounds like a good idea, but I think I'd want to see the pond too in case someone did slip out. Or just make sure that there are always older kids or adults around to watch.
A totally unrelated issue about a pond: If the house has a septic system and uses field lines, I'd find out where they are in relation to the pond. We looked at a house that had it's septic lines slightly uphill from the pond. Since we are more people than the house was built for, the septic system would not be equipped for that big a "load" and would likely overflow. (We've seen this firsthand with friends.) I wasn't real keen on the thought of that washing downhill and into the pond.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 9:52pm | IP Logged
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the play yard wouldn't have to be on the side of the house with the pond.. I'm not talking enclosing the house.. just a safe yard for the littles.
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: May 28 2010 at 8:58pm | IP Logged
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Something we did to help keep the little ones inside and under supervision when no one was outdoors, is put a hook and eye lock at the *top* of the doors( so they can't even reach it with a chair), the kind with the spring that comes back and blocks them from being able to just pop the hook off the eye. It really helps peace of mind, because 2yo ds is just learning to open doors. We have a pond as well, hence the reason we got the lock. Anoher thing we have to *help* keep the kids corraled or at least keep an eye on them is a dog. We got a German Shepherd mix, as they often instinctively "herd" children.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Pond Safety?
