Staying Safe with Water in the Back Garden This Summer: A Complete Guide for Families

Summertime brings sunshine, fun, and often the urge to enjoy the water. We talk a lot about water safety when in the swimming pool, but Summer provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water outdoors instead, especially in the comfort of our own back gardens. With the popularity of staycations and garden-based play on a rapid upward trajectory, paddling pools, hosepipes, sprinklers, and water toys have become Summer must haves. While these offer a great way to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays and provide a fun way for children to cool off, they also come with safety risks that are often overlooked.

In this blog post we aim to offer a comprehensive look at everything you need to know to keep your family (and even pets!) safe while enjoying water play in the garden this Summer.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Supervision: The golden rule of garden safety
3. Safe filling and use of pools
4. Hose pipes and sprinklers
5. Water toys and inflatables
6. Understanding cold water shock
7. Cleaning and hygiene
8. Involving pets safely
9. General water safety rules for the garden
10. Water and sun exposure
11. Emergency preparedness
12. Conclusion

1. Introduction

When the sun is shining and school is out, there’s nothing quite like water play in the back garden to keep children cool, active, and entertained. But with the fun can come danger that we have a responsibility to monitor — because even shallow or small amounts of water can pose serious risks if not managed carefully, especially to young children. Whether it’s a paddling pool, hosepipe, or playful splash with the family dog, understanding water safety is key to making sure your garden is a place of joy, not danger.

From drowning hazards in shallow paddling pools to slips, trips, and cold water shock, garden water play needs to be treated with the same level of care as swimming in public pools or open water. Summer also brings increased exposure to sun, bacteria growth in standing water, and excited pets joining in the fun—all of which need to be managed to keep everyone healthy and safe.

2. Supervision: The Golden Rule of Water Safety

Always supervise children when water is involved. This cannot be stressed enough. Accidents can happen in as little as a few centimetres of water. Whether it’s a paddling pool, a bucket, or a water table, constant and active supervision is the most effective way to prevent drowning and injury.

Top Tips:

• Never leave children unattended, even for a moment.
• Assign a responsible adult to be the designated "water watcher"
• Avoid distractions like mobile phones or chores during supervision.

Use shade, hats, and high-SPF sunscreen to protect children from sunburn while playing.

3. Safe Filling and Use of Paddling Pools

Paddling pools are a childhood favourite, but even a shallow pool poses risks. The immediate risks include drowning, injury and sunburn; even a few inches of water can be fatal for toddlers if left unsupervised and wet, slippery surfaces around the pool can lead to injuries caused by slips and falls. Water reflects UV rays, increasing exposure to the sun and therefore increasing the possibility of sunburn.

Children love jumping in and making the biggest splash possible but be mindful of cold water shock which happens with sudden exposure to cold water can affect breathing and circulation.

When the fun is over and the paddling pool is left alone, if left for too long stagnant water can harbour bacteria, leading to infections.

Safe Filling Practices:

• Place the pool on a flat, soft surface, away from steps or hard edges.
• Avoid overfilling. Keep the water depth appropriate for the child’s age and height.
• Use cool water first, then mix with warm water if needed, to prevent burns.
• Test the water temperature with your elbow before allowing children to enter.

Safe Use:

• Establish clear rules for play (e.g., no pushing, no running).
• Provide non-slip mats around the pool to help prevent slips and falls.
• Empty the pool after each use and store it upside down to avoid water collecting.
• Cover or store the pool securely when not in use.

4. Hosepipes and Sprinklers: Fun but Not Without Risk

Hosepipes and sprinklers can provide hours of garden fun, but they also require care and control.

Safety Considerations:

• Avoid leaving hosepipes lying in the sun — water inside can become dangerously hot.
• Never spray water directly into someone’s face.
• Supervise to ensure children aren’t using high-pressure settings.
• Ensure hose attachments are secure to avoid sudden bursts or disconnections.
• Store hoses safely to prevent tripping hazards.

5. Water Toys and Inflatables

Water balloons, inflatable slides, splash mats, and other garden toys bring excitement to summer days. Keep them safe with these steps:

Guidelines:

• Choose age-appropriate toys and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Check for damage before use; discard any items with sharp edges or holes.
• Avoid placing inflatables near hard surfaces or sharp garden tools.
• Deflate and store toys properly when not in use.
• Discourage rough play to prevent injuries.

Water balloons and inflatable toys pose additional risks when burst or damaged. Made of rubber or plastic, it is important to ensure any pieces are properly disposed of and kept out of the way of young children and animals due to the risk of choking.

6. Understanding Cold Water Shock

Even in summer, garden water can be surprisingly cold — especially early in the day or when fresh from a hose. Cold water shock can affect anyone, but children are particularly vulnerable.

What Is Cold Water Shock?

It’s the body’s natural reaction to sudden immersion in cold water. It can cause:

• Uncontrolled gasping and breathing difficulty
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Panic and potential loss of muscle control

Prevention:

• Let children dip toes in gradually before jumping in or fully immersing
• Fill paddling pools early in the day to allow the water to warm naturally.
• Avoid very cold hose water unless used gradually and with supervision.

7. Cleaning and Hygiene

Water left standing in pools or toys can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially in warm weather.

Cleaning Checklist:

• Empty paddling pools daily.
• Rinse and air-dry toys and inflatables after each use.
• Clean pool surfaces with mild, child-safe disinfectant weekly.
• Avoid sharing water toys that go in mouths unless thoroughly cleaned between users.

Hygiene is particularly important for preventing infections like ear infections, tummy bugs, and skin irritations.

8. Involving Pets Safely

Pets often love to get involved with water play, but their presence needs to be managed for everyone’s safety.

Tips for Including Pets:

• Supervise pets around children and water at all times.
• Use shallow water for pets and allow them to enter and exit freely.
• Avoid using toys that could be a choking hazard for pets.
• Keep water bowls filled and shaded to prevent overheating.
• Wash your pet after playing in shared water to reduce risk of cross-contamination.

Some pets, especially dogs, may become overly excited. With sharp teeth and claws there is potential for this to result in injury to people or damage to toys and equipment. Always prioritise the safety and comfort of children when pets are nearby.

Dog water safety

If involving dogs in water play it can be tempting to throw toys into water for them to fetch or spray them with hose water. This may seem like a fun game and your dog may seem to really enjoy it but you should always be aware of the effects of water inhalation - also known as near-drowning or secondary drowning — that can happen when a dog inhales water into the lungs while swimming, playing, or after an incident in water. This condition can be life-threatening and may not show symptoms immediately.

Here are the key signs and symptoms to watch for:

Immediate Signs (Within Minutes to Hours):

• Coughing – persistent or wet-sounding
• Gagging or retching
• Laboured or rapid breathing (panting heavily without exertion)
• Shallow breathing or wheezing
• Blue or pale gums (a sign of oxygen deficiency)
• Vomiting or diarrhoea (especially foamy or watery)
• Lethargy or weakness
• Uncoordinated movements or disorientation
• Collapse or unconsciousness in severe cases

Delayed Signs (Several Hours After the Incident):

• Worsening breathing difficulty
• Fatigue or reluctance to move
• Loss of appetite
• Distressed or anxious behaviour
• Possible fever (due to aspiration pneumonia)

 What to Do if You Suspect Water Inhalation:

• Seek veterinary help immediately. This is a medical emergency.
• Keep your dog calm and warm while transporting them.
• Do not attempt to treat at home — oxygen and monitoring are often needed.

Even if your dog seems fine after a water incident, symptoms can appear hours later. Always err on the side of caution and get them checked if you’re concerned.

9. General Water Safety Rules for the Garden

Create a household water safety code and involve your children in making it fun and memorable. Use signs or posters as reminders.

Examples of Water Safety Rules:

• Always ask an adult before using water.
• No running or jumping near water.
• Water toys are for the garden, not for climbing.
• When the water play is over, help tidy up!

By making safety part of the fun, children are more likely to remember and follow the rules.

11. Water and sun exposure

Water Reflects UV Rays

Water acts like a mirror — it reflects the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays back onto your skin. This means you're getting hit by UV radiation from above and below, effectively doubling your exposure.

Wet Skin Burns Faster

When your skin is wet, it can be more vulnerable to UV damage. Water can wash away protective oils and make the skin more sensitive, while the cooling effect of water masks the sensation of burning — so you often don't realise it’s happening until it’s too late.

Sunscreen Washes Off

Even water-resistant sunscreen can wear off after swimming, splashing about, sweating, or towel drying. If not reapplied regularly, your skin may be left unprotected for extended periods.

Stay safe in the sun — even in the water:

• Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20–30 minutes before swimming.
• Reapply every 2 hours and immediately after swimming or towel drying.
• Wear UV-protective swimwear and a hat when possible.

Seek shade during peak UV times (11am–3pm).

Final Thoughts: Safe Water Play is Happy Water Play

Back garden water play can create magical summer memories. With the right precautions, it can also be safe, stress-free, and full of smiles. Supervision, preparation, and simple safety habits go a long way in ensuring everyone has fun while staying protected.

Whether it's their first splash in a paddling pool or a full-on water battle with siblings, your children deserve the safest environment to enjoy the summer sun. Use this guide as your go-to checklist, and let the summer adventures begin!

Remember: Even a small garden setup comes with responsibilities. Water safety starts at home — and it starts with you.