26 July 2000

DTI - Safer Ponds

Ponds are a real source of pleasure but they can also be dangerous. Around 12 children drown in gardens every year. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in the United Kingdom has produced a booklet outlining the dangers and explaining how to make ponds safer. The free booklet is being made available to the public through members of the Ornamental Aquatic Trades Association (OATA). The hobby of keeping ornamental fish in either aquariums or ponds is popular. According to OATA, in the UK it is estimated that 14% (3-3.5 million households) of all households own either an aquarium or pond. This makes them the third most popular pet group after cats and dogs. However the number of individual ornamental & pet fish kept in the UK far exceeds that of either cats or dogs at an estimated 140 million. The OATA site has a new look, and the home study section has recently been revised at: http://www.ornamentalfish.org/