Recall Issued for 5.2M Pools After Child Drowning Deaths

More than 5.2 million aboveground swimming pools sold across the US and Canada over the last two decades are being recalled after nine drowning deaths were reported.

• The recall covers a range of Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup pools that were sold by major retailers as far back as 2002, the AP reports. According to Monday notices published by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, these pools have compression straps running along the outside of the product—which "may create a foothold" for small children and allow them to access the water unattended.

• That can pose a serious drowning risk, the safety regulators warn. To date, the CPSC believes nine children across the US have drowned after gaining access to these now-recalled pools in this way. Those deaths occurred between 2007 and 2022, involving children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old. No additional fatalities have been reported in Canada.
• Consumers in possession of these pools are urged to immediately contact Bestway, Intex, and/or Polygroup to receive a free repair kit—which will consist of a rope to replace the compression strap. Owners of these pools should otherwise ensure that small children cannot access the pool without supervision, regulators note—and could alternatively drain the pool until the repair is made.
• All of the pools being recalled are 48 inches or taller, and can be identified by brand and model names listed on both the CPSC and Health Canada's recall notices. Sales of the pools ranged by model and location, but date as far back as 2002 and as recently as this year.
• About 5 million of these now-recalled pools were sold across the US—including both online and in-stores at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Lowe's, Costco, and Amazon. Another 266,000 were sold in Canada.