By Marcelle Dibrell
In one the largest safety recalls the country has seen, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 5 million aboveground pools that were sold in the U.S. over the last 20 years.
The pools were linked to the drowning deaths of nine children between the ages of 22 months and three years old, which took place in California, Florida, Missouri, Texas, andWisconsinbetween2007and2022.
The recall applies to aboveground pools 48-inches or taller that use compression straps wrapped around the outside of the pool’s supporting poles. Children can use the straps as a foothold, enabling them to access the pool even if the ladder is removed.
The CPSC announced the recall in a July 21 press release, noting that it is also aware of three additional children who gained access to pools in 2011 and 2012, who were known to have used the compression strap to enter the pools on prior occasions.
The recall applies to aboveground pools made in China by Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup and sold in popular stores nationwide, including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe’s,
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Bestway-Intex-and-Polygroup-Recall-Certain-Above-Ground-Pools-48-Inches-and-Taller-Due-to-Drowning-Hazard-Nine-Deaths-Reported-Five-Million-Pools-Sold-Since-2002
CPSC’s website www.PoolSafely.gov has free, downloadable educational materials available to the public on pool safety including information on barriers, covers, alarms and other safety information. Above image shows recalled aboveground pool models and examples of strap configurations for recalled aboveground pools 48” and taller.
http://www.PoolSafely.gov Kmart, Toys “R” Us, Sam’s Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco and BJ’s (among others), as well as online at Amazon.com, Wayfair.com, and Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle, and Summer Waves websites.
The pools range in price from approximately $400 to more than $1,000, depending on the size and model of the pool and the accessories.
Consumers in possession of the pools are urged to immediately contact Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup to receive a free repair kit, consisting of a rope that attaches to each of the vertical support poles at the ground level and wraps around the pool.
The rope will maintain the structural integrity of the pool (a function previously served by the compression strap).
Consumers should first secure the repair and then cut and remove the compression strap from the pool. In the interim, consumers should ensure that children cannot access the pool unattended or, alternatively, drain the pool until the repair can be installed.
