WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDNews) —
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a major recall of about 5 million above-ground pools due to a serious drowning risk.
The affected pools, 48 inches and taller, feature compression straps on the outside that may act as footholds, allowing young children to climb into the pool even when ladders are removed.
The recall involves pools made by Bestway (USA and Hong Kong), Intex Recreation Corp., and Polygroup North America Inc. These models were sold nationwide at retailers including Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, The Home Depot and online at Amazon.com and others from as early as 2002 through 2025.
CPSC reports that at least nine children, ages 22 months to 3 years old, drowned after accessing pools using the compression straps. These tragic incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022 in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri.
Additional incidents were reported in 2011 and 2012 where children were able to climb into pools using the same method.
Consumers are urged to contact the manufacturers—Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup—for a free repair kit. The kit includes a rope system that secures the pool without creating a foothold. Once installed, consumers should remove the existing compression strap.
The recall covers several popular pool brands and models, including:
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Bestway & Coleman:
Power Steel, Steel Pro
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Intex:
Metal Frame Pools, Ultra Frame, Prism Frame, Ultra XTR
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Polygroup:
Summer Waves, Summer Escapes, Funsicle
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Others:
Sand n Sun, Blue Wave
Pools sold in Canada are also affected, with about 266,000 units included in the recall.
Until a repair is completed, CPSC advises parents to either drain the pool or ensure it is fully secured and inaccessible to children. Pool safety information is available at
www.PoolSafely.gov
.
For more information or to request a repair kit, consumers should visit the manufacturer’s website or contact them directly.
