More than 5.2 million aboveground swimming pools sold across the United States and Canada over the past two decades are being recalled following reports of nine child drowning deaths linked to the products.
The recall involves various models from Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup — major manufacturers of aboveground pools. These products, sold as early as 2002 and as recently as this year, were available both online and in stores at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Costco, and Amazon.
According to recall notices issued Monday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, the issue centers around exterior compression straps that run along the outside of the pools. These straps can act as footholds, allowing small children to climb into the pool unnoticed and unsupervised.
So far, the CPSC has linked nine child drownings in the U.S. to these pools. The tragic incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022 and involved children between 22 months and 3 years old. No fatalities have been reported in Canada at this time.
Authorities are urging consumers to act immediately if they own one of the affected pool models. Manufacturers are offering a free repair kit, which replaces the dangerous compression strap with a safer rope. Until the fix is made, pool owners are advised to ensure that young children cannot access the pool area or to drain the pool entirely.
All recalled models are at least 48 inches tall and can be identified by brand and model information provided in the official recall notices posted by the CPSC and Health Canada.
Approximately 5 million of the pools were sold in the U.S., and another 266,000 were distributed in Canada.
For more information and to request a repair kit, consumers should contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup directly.
