Parents are being urged to demand that all automated gates at schools and public buildings are checked for safety. This follows a number of gate-related fatal accidents, some involving children.

The urgent plea has come from gate safety campaigners who are planning a week of action to build public awareness of the risks posed by poorly installed and maintained gates.

In recent years three children and three adults have been killed in gate accidents, says the Door & Hardware Federation Powered Gate Group, which is running Gate Safety Week (October 13-19 www.gatesafetyweek.org.uk).

The campaigners estimate that more than two thirds of all automated gates in the UK fail to meet current safety standards and could be potentially unsafe.

Said Neil Sampson, chairman of the DHF Powered Gate Group, said: “Powered gates are an increasingly common sight in our towns. Many schools have these gates at the entrance. Office buildings, apartment blocks and other public buildings have automated car park gates. And we are seeing more and more residential driveway gates being installed.

“Our group represents the industry that makes, installs and maintains powered gates. We are determined to do everything we can to ensure accidents like this do not happen again – which is why we are focusing public attention on the dangers posed by badly installed and maintained gates.”

Parents have been advised to ask their school whether the entrance gate has been maintained and checked for safety. Advice to the general public is available on the gate safety helpline 01827 52337.

If the gate is at a workplace, public building or residential area then contact the owner, building manager or managing agent who is advised to ring the safety hotline number for guidance.

Further advice on what action to take if anyone is worried about the safety of a gate, tips on how to spot a potentially unsafe gate, and guidance on how to find a qualified company who can carry out a gate safety check are available from www.gatesafetyweek.org.uk