Children are the victims of the majority of farm pond drownings. Small children get too close to the water and lose their balance on the soft bank. Many wade in the cool shallow water only to fall into deep holes. Some drown for no apparent reason. Lack of close adult supervision contributes to pond drownings.
Adults often overestimate a child's curiosity.
A short attention span, coupled with the attractiveness of a farm pond as a play area may render most verbal instructions ineffective. Adults, too, drown, in farm ponds. Most of these pond drownings occur while swimming. These are most often young active adults and visitors. In most cases it is recommended that all ponds be fenced and posted to keep out unwanted persons.