Safety Features

• Fountains that have thick walls that are taller than most toddlers are the safest. If an unattended toddler or young child approaches the fountain, she may not be able to climb into the fountain. When play fountains designed specifically for children are flush with the ground, using nonslip surfaces provides a deeper level of safety than fountains made with slick surfaces like tile or granite. Guard rails along flowing water features helps people balance.
  
  

Risks

• All water features in homes and commercial buildings pose risks for people, especially those who cannot swim. People can slip on damp or mossy surfaces and children can fall in head first. The water itself poses a hazard if ingested, since bacteria and viruses may grow in the water if the chemical treatment is inadequate. All electrical installations used in water features in commercial settings need to be wired to ground fault interrupter (GFI) circuits and inspected by a licensed electrician.
  
  

Solutions

• Paying close attention to children who cannot swim when around water features helps avoid accidents. Testing the water quality frequently, depending on the outdoor temperature, and treating it with adequate disinfectants like chlorine, bromine or ozone reduces the threat of water contamination. Making sure the GFI circuits are working protects from electrical shock.