A major safety recall has been announced for over 5.2 million aboveground swimming pools across the United States and Canada following nine tragic child drownings. The Boston Herald reports that affected models, sold since 2002 by major retailers such as Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup, have raised serious safety concerns.
Concerns Over External Compression Straps
In notices released on July 21 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, officials highlighted issues with the pools’ external compression straps, warning they could act as “footholds,” enabling young children to climb in and access the water unsupervised.
Serious Drowning Hazards Identified
Regulators have urged immediate caution due to the identified drowning hazard associated with certain recalled pools. According to the CPSC, nine toddlers aged between 22 months and three years drowned between 2007 and 2022 after climbing into these pools using the external straps. While Canada has not reported fatalities, authorities emphasize that the risk remains significant.
Actions for Pool Owners
If you own one of these aboveground pools, it is crucial to contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup for prompt action. A free repair kit will be provided, which includes a rope to replace the faulty compression strap. In the meantime, owners are advised to prevent unsupervised access or drain the pool entirely. The recalled models, all 48 inches or taller, were sold between 2002 and 2025, with full brand and model details available in the recall notices from both the CPSC and Health Canada.
Retail Impact and Pricing
The CPSC reported that major retailers including Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, Costco, and Amazon sold around five million of these recalled pools in the U.S. The pools, which were manufactured in China, were priced between $400 and $1,000, depending on size, model, and included accessories. An additional 266,000 units were sold in Canada, raising widespread concerns over the safety of these popular backyard setups.
