Jim Penman issues urgent warning on pool gates and fences: too many are defective
Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 11 Dec 2025
Jim Penman is warning Australian households of a potential rise in unsafe and non-compliant pool fences. Penman said that since the 1990s and the introduction of tougher controls in most states for pool fences, drowning's have reduced, but even one drowning is too many. In the lead-up to summer we often see serious fence or gate issues that could put children at risk.
According to Brett Blair, CEO and General Manager of Jim's Pool Care Australia, technicians are providing a range of pool services for customers and advising customers of issues and often suggesting a professional pool inspection. Even with a simple visual inspection it can be easy finding a number of dangerous defects that many homeowners have no idea exist.
"Many home owners would not realise that without regular maintenance, their pool fences, barriers and gates could fail a safety inspection," Blair said.
"Most homeowners assume their fence is fine because it looks intact, but underneath that, there are issues that could allow a child to access the pool area in seconds, especially if gates do not self-latch.
"It is the responsibility of the pool owner to stay on top of maintenance but also never forget that adult supervision is the other key component to reducing drownings."
Common issues homeowners don't realise are dangerous
Blair said many defects are not immediately visible but pose significant risks. One of the most common is garden build-up next to fences and pot plants in the non-climb zone. Even small mounds of soil, potted plants, decorative items or creeping vegetation can create climbing points for children.
"People don't realise that plants, pots or even a few inches of raised garden bed can make a fence climbable," Blair said.
"If a child can get a foothold, they can get over."
Other frequent problems include loose or weakened fence rails that can be pushed apart, gate latches that no longer self-lock, gates held open accidentally by toys and hinges that have lost tension over time, allowing a child to push the gate open regardless of the latch position.
"Most parents would be shocked to learn how quickly a child can enter a pool area due to something as simple as a misaligned latch or a toy jammed in the doorway," Blair said.
Why the problem is getting worse
More time spent at home and a surge in outdoor renovations are making fences unintentionally unsafe. As families add new pot plants, garden beds, furniture or decorative pieces around the pool area, they often create objects a child can climb or push up against the fence.
"As people beautify their yards, they're unknowingly compromising their pool barrier," Blair said.
"Even small changes can turn a compliant fence into a dangerous one."
Fence and gate failures can be deadly
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in young children. Blair said the rise in fence failures is deeply concerning and often goes unnoticed.
"A fence or gate that doesn't close or lock properly is a silent, deadly risk," he said.
"Homeowners rarely test their gates and it only takes one moment of failure for a tragedy to occur."
What homeowners should do immediately
Blair is urging homeowners to walk the perimeter of their pool fence and look for anything a child could climb, test the gate to ensure it self-closes and self-latches, check that the latch cannot be pulled open and observe any wobbling, rust, movement or loose rails. Removing toys, furniture or other items leaning against the fence is also essential.
"Fence safety is not optional, it's the most important part of owning a pool," Blair said.
"If in doubt, get your fence checked by a professional. These issues can be fixed quickly, but only if they're found.
"We're reminding homeowners that a pool fence isn't something you install and ignore. It requires maintenance, adjustment and regular testing. Your pool water might look perfect, but if your fence isn't safe, your family isn't safe."
About Jim's Pool Care
Jim's Pool Care is one of Australia's largest and most trusted pool service networks, with more than 150 locally owned franchise businesses operating nationwide. The company provides professional mobile pool cleaning, maintenance, equipment supply and installation services to residential and commercial clients. Backed by the trusted Jim's Group, Jim's Pool Care is committed to safety, reliability and exceptional customer service, helping Australians enjoy clean, safe and sparkling pools all year round. With a strong focus on training, support and innovation, Jim's Pool Care continues to set the industry standard for quality and customer satisfaction.
About Jim's Group
Jim's Group was founded by Jim Penman in 1989 and now has some 5,550 franchisees in more than 50 divisions. It is the largest franchise chain in the Southern Hemisphere.