WATCH: Disturbing footage shows toddler opening pool fence in matter of seconds
A disturbing video has emerged showing a toddler effortlessly opening a pool gate in just seconds.
The parents of four-year-old Curtis Modrow were shocked to see him flick open the gate of his aunt's pool fence with ease, and let himself in.
The clip sparked consumer group Choice to push for a recall on the Be Safe Clark Rubber portable pool fence, which is sold around Australia.
"We were shocked when my mother said: ‘Curtis is in the pool’," mum Sandy Behrens told 7 News.
"We've all basically rushed over and we've asked him to do it again, to say, well 'how did you do that?'
"When the council came out to inspect it, they found several serious breaches. They condemned it," Ms Behrens said.
According to Choice, the product is dangerous, however the supplier disagrees.
The latch on the portable pool fence is toddler height at just 870mm, which is short of the Choice Australian Standards specifying at least 1200mm high, with no gap for an arm to reach in.
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Choice tests show the current model Be Safe Clark Rubber portable pool fence has the same low latch and doesn't always close. Tests also show the latch can be opened with an implement, contrary to Australian Standards.
“Our tests stand up. We found this product does not comply with the Australian Standards and it should be recalled,” Choice’s Tom Godfrey told 7 News.
Because of faults like this, Choice wants stronger recall requirements to force companies to publicise key details, like how many were sold, the type of faults, and what they're doing about them.
Clark Rubber told 7 News in a statement that the fence complies with Australian Standards.
The company attributed any problems to owners not following installation instructions.
"The Product, when installed in accordance with the installation instructions, was comprehensively tested against the Standard, before it was released and was retested due to recent concerns," the company stated.
"We refute any other instances of alleged non-compliance."
