Almost half (49%) of Australian pool owners are unsure if their pool gate would pass a safety inspection, with new research revealing widespread complacency as the peak drowning season approaches.

The latest MagnaLatch® Pool Safety Report shows a worrying decline in vigilance, with close to three-quarters (70%) of pool owners admitting they hadn’t checked their pool gate in the past six months or more. 41% admitted they simply don’t think about it, while 21% are unsure what to look for and almost a quarter (24%) claim to not have the time.

The data released in a partnership between D&D Technologies and Kids Alive as part of Check Your Pool Gate Month, reveals that almost half (45%) of pool owners would feel extremely worried and unsafe if they discovered their pool gate wasn’t protecting their family properly. Yet, close to a third (30%) of families have left their pool gate open when cleaning it.

Laurie Lawrence, founder of Kids Alive and Check Your Pool Gate Month Ambassador, stresses that the findings show too many Australians are putting lives at risk through inaction and misplaced confidence.

“This report is a real wake-up call,” says Laurie. “We’ve made significant progress in drowning prevention over the years, but we can’t afford to relax. Pool gates save lives yet too many people assume theirs is working fine without ever checking. That kind of complacency is dangerous.”

The call comes as more than a third (33%) of pool owners do not remember when they had last gained a recent safety compliance certificate, with 13% admitting they hadn’t had one since the pool was first installed. Furthermore, 69% of Australians wouldn’t know how to fix or upgrade their pool gate or fence if it didn’t meet the safety standards and only 15% talk about pool safety regularly with family or friends.

The leading reason for not checking or repairing gates was forgetfulness (41%), followed by lack of time (24%) and uncertainty about what to look for (21%). Australians are also underestimating the risk of minor faults or delays in fixing latches, with a third (36%) admitting they would rely on someone else to notice or fix the issue.

“It only takes a moment for tragedy to strike,” continues Laurie. “A faulty gate can be just as dangerous as leaving a child unsupervised in the pool. It’s not just a gate, it’s a lifesaver.”

Emma Lawrence, Operations Director of Kids Alive and Check Your Pool Gate Month Ambassador, says she feared pool owners were not aware of the immediate danger of leaving a pool gate propped open.

“Although most families admitted they would feel very concerned if they discovered their gate wasn’t protecting their families; nearly a third are still propping it open when they are cleaning the pool, or most concerningly when a lot of people were using it,” says Emma.

“We want people to understand there is never a time when it is okay to leave a pool gate open because it is the immediate first line of defence for protecting little ones from drowning. If they can’t get in, you diminish the risk.

“The reality is most drownings occur in backyard pools, so we need to be most vigilant at home,” adds Emma.

With summer around the corner, Check Your Pool Gate Month is reminding all Australians to take a few minutes to inspect their gates. Pool owners can provide the utmost safety for their families by upgrading the security of their gate hardware and ensuring they work properly.

“One in three families believes pool owners should get an official safety inspection, and while we applaud and certainly encourage that sentiment, there are still things people can do themselves to make their pool gates safer. Checking the gate works properly only takes a few minutes, but it can mean the difference between life and death. Let’s make sure our kids are safe before they swim,” concludes Laurie.

A comprehensive pool safety checklist is available at www.checkyourpoolgate.com.au, offering essential tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for all.