Pool Fence and Gate Checklist for Queensland Homes
Do these checks today, standing outside the pool area. If the gate or fence fails any of them, keep children away and arrange a repair.
Four checks to do today
- Open the gate and let go. It should close and latch on its own, without a push.
- Make sure the gate isn't propped open or tied back.
- Check the fence is rigid and secure, with no broken or loose panels.
- Move chairs, pot plants, bins and toys away from the fence.
If something fails
Keep children out of the pool area until the barrier is working again. Arrange a repair and ask a licensed pool safety inspector if you’re unsure whether the barrier complies.
A visual check helps you spot problems, but it can't certify that your barrier complies.
Watching kids near the pool
Put an adult in charge of watching the kids whenever they’re near water. Royal Life Saving’s Keep Watch program recommends getting in the water with children under five when they swim and staying within arm’s reach.
Nominate one adult to watch. When you swap, hand over directly, and don't leave an older child in charge.
In an emergency
Learn CPR before you need it. In a drowning emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and follow the operator’s instructions.
Sources
- QBCC pool fence and gate guidance
- City of Gold Coast swimming pool fencing
- Royal Life Saving Keep Watch
Related safety guide: Pool safety on the Gold Coast