Let’s Talk Pool Safety This Summer: Check Your Pool Gate

Summer is when Aussie families spend more time in the water and when drowning risks are at their highest. That’s why Kids Alive is again partnering with D&D Technologies to support Check Your Pool Gate Month, a national reminder to take just a few minutes to make sure your pool gate is doing its job: protecting your family.

This year’s research is a wake-up call. The latest MagnaLatch® Pool Safety Report reveals that almost half of pool owners (49%) are unsure if their pool gate would pass a safety inspection.

Even more concerning, 70% haven’t checked their gate latch or hinges in six months or more, and 41% say they simply don’t think about it.

A third of families admit to leaving the gate propped open while cleaning or entertaining, creating a dangerous opportunity for young children to access the pool area unsupervised

These are small lapses with potentially tragic consequences. The message is simple:

It’s not just a gate—it’s a lifesaver.


Why Checking Your Pool Gate Matters

Pool fencing  with a self-closing magnetic gate latch remain one of the most effective barriers to prevent young children from entering a pool area. But that protection only works if the gate is functioning properly.

A faulty latch, a misaligned hinge, rust, wear and tear or a gate propped open for convenience can turn a lifesaving barrier into a silent risk. Most parents say they’d be extremely worried if they discovered their gate wasn’t keeping their family safe, yet regular checks still aren’t happening

Taking two minutes today could save a life this summer.


What to Look For When Inspecting Your Gate

You don’t need to be an expert—there are simple checks every pool owner can do:

  • Does your gate self-close from every open position?
  • Does the latch click firmly shut every time?
  • Are the hinges in good condition—no rust, no sagging, no stiffness?
  • Is the fence secure, with no climbable objects nearby?
  • Is the gate never propped open? (This is one of the most common and dangerous behaviours.)

Visit Check Your Pool Gate’s official campaign site for videos, guides and information on hardware upgrades:

Download an easy 10 step checklist HERE