Millions of above-ground swimming pools are being recalled across the United States due to a significant drowning risk, following a series of tragic fatalities involving young children. The design flaw, specifically the exterior compression straps, has been identified as an accessible foothold for toddlers, allowing them to scale into the pools even when safety measures, such as ladder removal, are in place. This urgent recall highlights the critical need for heightened awareness and immediate action from pool owners to prevent further incidents. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued detailed instructions for obtaining repair kits, emphasizing the temporary measure of draining pools until the necessary modifications are made. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring children's safety around water and the continuous efforts required from manufacturers and consumers alike to mitigate such dangers.

Hazardous Design Leads to Tragic Losses

As the summer season progresses, approximately five million above-ground swimming pools are subject to a nationwide recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified a critical design flaw: the external compression straps of these pools can inadvertently serve as footholds. This design oversight allows young children to climb into the pools, even when the access ladder has been removed, creating a severe drowning hazard. This alarming vulnerability has been directly linked to the tragic deaths of nine children, ranging in age from 22 months to 3 years, who drowned after gaining unauthorized access to the pools. These devastating incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022 across various states, including California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Additionally, three other children experienced similar incidents in 2011 and 2012, managing to enter the pools via these dangerous footholds. The recall encompasses pools sold by various manufacturers and retailers, emphasizing the widespread nature of this safety concern.

The affected pools, which have been available for purchase since 2002, were manufactured by companies such as Bestway (based in Hong Kong and Arizona), International Ltd (China), Intex Recreation Corp. (California), and Polygroup North America Inc. (Texas). These pools were widely distributed through major retail chains, including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe's, Kmart, Toys “R” Us, Sam’s Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco, and BJ’s. They were also sold online via platforms like Amazon.com, Wayfair.com, and directly from manufacturers' websites such as Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle, and Summer Waves. The recalled models are 48 inches or taller and originally retailed for prices ranging from $400 to over $1,000. Specific recalled models include Bestway and Coleman Power Steel (2008-2024), Intex Metal Frame Pools and Ultra Frame Pools (2002-2012), Intex Prism Frame Pool and Ultra XTR Frame Pool (2024-2025, sold exclusively at Intexcorp.com and Walmart), and Polygroup's Summer Waves (2015-2025), Summer Escapes (2006-2015), Funsicle (2023-2025), Sand n Sun (2008-2011), and Blue Wave (2014-2025).

Urgent Safety Measures for Pool Owners

For families who own any of the recalled above-ground pools, immediate action is crucial to mitigate the severe drowning risk. The CPSC strongly advises contacting the respective manufacturers—Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup—to obtain a free repair kit. This kit is designed to enhance pool safety by providing a robust rope system that wraps around the pool's vertical support poles. This rope serves to maintain the structural integrity of the pool, effectively replacing the function of the hazardous compression straps that facilitated unauthorized access. Once the rope is securely installed, consumers are instructed to cut and remove the problematic compression straps, thereby eliminating the dangerous footholds. This simple yet vital modification is essential for preventing future accidents and safeguarding young lives.

While awaiting the arrival and installation of the repair kit, pool owners must take proactive interim safety measures. The CPSC emphasizes the importance of ensuring that children cannot access the pool area unsupervised. If constant supervision is not feasible, the safest temporary solution is to completely drain the pool until the repair kit can be installed and all modifications are securely in place. This precautionary step is paramount given the severe and immediate danger these pools pose to young children. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death for children aged 1 to 4 years in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Therefore, adherence to these safety guidelines is not merely a recommendation but a critical imperative to protect children from preventable tragedies. Awareness and prompt action are key to transforming these potentially dangerous pools into safe recreational spaces for families.