Millions of Above-Ground Pools Recalled Due to Drowning Hazard; Nine Child Deaths Reported
NEW YORK – A massive recall has been issued for over 5.2 million above-ground swimming pools sold in the U.S. and canada over the past two decades, following reports of nine child drownings. The affected pools, manufactured by Bestway, intex recreation, and Polygroup, were sold as far back as 2002 by major retailers.
According to joint notices from the U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and health Canada, the recalled pools, which are 48 inches or taller, feature compression straps on their exterior. These straps can create a foothold, perhaps allowing small children to access the water unsupervised, posing a meaningful drowning risk.
The CPSC has linked nine child fatalities in the U.S. to this hazard, with incidents occurring between 2007 and 2022. The children involved ranged in age from 22 months to 3 years old. No fatalities have been reported in Canada.
Consumers who own these pools are strongly advised to immediately contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup to obtain a free repair kit. This kit includes a rope designed to replace the problematic compression strap. Alternatively, pool owners are urged to ensure small children cannot access the pool without adult supervision or to drain the pool until the repair can be made.
The recalled pools can be identified by their brand and model names, which are detailed in the official recall notices from both the CPSC and Health Canada. Sales of these pools spanned various models and locations, with purchase dates ranging from 2002 up to 2025.
Approximately 5 million of these recalled pools were sold in the United States through both online channels and brick-and-mortar stores, including prominent retailers such as Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Costco, and Amazon. An additional 266,000 units were sold in Canada.
