Millions of above-ground pools sold at major retailers are being recalled after at least nine children have drowned in them.
According to an announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup are recalling 48-inch and taller above-ground pools with compression straps running on the outside and over the vertical support legs.
The compression strap that surrounds the outside of the pool may create a support for children to climb on and reach the opening of the pool, posing a drowning risk. Children can still gain access to the pools using these footholds even if the ladder is removed.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission believes that nine children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old have drowned after gaining access to the pools via the footholds. The incidents occurred in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri between 2007 and 2022.
The agency is also aware of three other incidents in 2011 and 2012 where children who gained access to the recalled pools were reported to have previously used the compression strap to gain entry to the pool. A list of the recalled pools is available here.
The pools have been sold since 2002 at stores nationwide, including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe’s, 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.
Customers who own the pools should contact Bestway, Intex or Polygroup to request a repair kit. In the meantime, consumers should ensure that children cannot access the pool unattended or drain the pool until the repair can be installed.
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