‘Never turn your back’: Parents issue warning after toddler climbs ‘locked’ pool ladder

A concerned US father has issued a warning to other parents about pool safety after his toddler was able to climb a “locked” pool ladder.

Two-year-old Cody can be seen easily scaling the “closed and locked” pool ladder to get to the above ground pool.

The video, which was posted to Facebook, has received more than 22 million views.

“Tonya and I stress you to watch your kids around pools,” Keith Wyman posted alongside the video.

It took less than 40 seconds for Cody to reach the pool before his mother pried him off the ladder.

Mr Wyman explained the ladder was purchased with the family’s new pool.

Social media users were quick to echo the parents’ warning in comments on the video.

“Never turn your back on your kids,” Shirley Valentine wrote.

 “I was stunned when he actually made it up to the top! What strength! And what a crisis!” Eva Bogard commented.

Although the incident occurred in the US, similar warnings have been issued to parents here.

In Adelaide last year, a two-year-old was filmed climbing and unlocking a pool gate in just 21 seconds.

Last year’s Royal Life Saving Report revealed a quarter of drowning deaths occurred while swimming or recreating in a pool.