About 5 million above-ground pools have been recalled by their manufacturers due to concerns that the pools’ compression straps could allow children to climb in unsupervised and potentially drown, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The recalled above-ground pools are typically 48 inches or taller and have compression straps wrapped around the outside of the pool’s supporting poles to help provide more support and stability to the pool walls. The specific recalled pools, which are listed on the CPSC website, have been sold by stores like Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe’s, Toys “R” Us, Costco and Amazon since 2002. The pools were manufactured in China and range in price between about $400 to over $1,000, depending on the size.
Examples of the strap configurations on the recalled above-ground pools. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
The CPSC said in a press release Monday that these compression straps can turn into a foothold for children, granting them access to the water even if the ladder to the pool is removed. The agency believes nine children, between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old, drowned in the above-ground pools between 2007 and 2022 across five states, because the victims used the compression straps to climb in.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released an example photo of how a child would use the compression strand to climb into an above-ground pool. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
The CPSC noted there were three other reported incidents in 2011 and 2012, where the children were known to have previously used the compression straps to climb into the pools.
Owners of these pools can contact the manufacturers, Bestway Inc., Intex Recreation Corp. or Polygroup North America Inc., to request a free repair kit, which includes a rope that can go around the vertical support poles at the ground level, in place of the compression strap, the CPSC said. (Remember to set up the repair rope first before removing the original compression strap from the pool.)
Not all above-ground pools have this risk. Those same three companies have other models with strap configurations that run behind the poles, which does not make it possible for a child to turn it into a step. These pools are not part of the recall.
Examples of the strap configurations that run behind the poles on above-ground pools. Above-ground pools with these straps are not being recalled. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
The CPSC’s annual drowning report, which was published on July 11, recommends that parents appoint a “water watcher” to supervise children in or around pools. It’s also important that younger children be taught how to swim; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parent-and-child swimming classes start when the child is 1, while children can receive more formal individual swimming classes once they turn 4 years old. The CPSC also advises parents and guardians to take CPR classes, which are available through in-person or online programs.
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