Over 5 million above-ground swimming pools are being recalled after nine toddler drownings were linked to a dangerous strap design that may have allowed children to climb into unsupervised pools. The recall affects models sold since 2002 by major brands at national retailers.
Key Facts:
- Over 5 million above-ground pools from Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup are being recalled due to safety risks.
- The pools have exterior compression straps that may act as footholds for small children, leading to potential drownings.
- Nine children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years drowned between 2007 and 2022 in six U.S. states.
- The recall includes pools sold since 2002 and most recently in 2025 at major retailers like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Amazon.
- Consumers can request a free repair kit to replace the strap and are urged to secure or drain pools until the fix is in place.
The Rest of The Story:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the massive recall after identifying that exterior compression straps used to support the pools could serve as footholds for children, allowing unsupervised access even without a ladder in place.
Tragically, nine children drowned as a result in states including California, Texas, Florida, and Michigan. The affected pools—48 inches and taller—have been sold under the Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup brands.
The manufacturers began working with the CPSC in 2023 to revise safety standards, which were finalized in May 2025.
According to the companies, “most above-ground pools currently being sold today have already addressed this concern,” but the recall is intended to retrofit older models sold as far back as 2002.
Consumers are urged to contact the manufacturers to receive a free repair kit, which includes a rope to replace the dangerous strap. In the meantime, the CPSC advises that parents ensure pools are either fully drained or secured from child access.
RECALL: Bestway, Intex & Polygroup recall 5 million above ground pools 48 inches and taller with compression straps running on the outside of the pool legs that may create a foothold, allowing a child access to the pool; drowning hazard. 9 deaths reported: https://t.co/sDa3bQJoqA pic.twitter.com/JFLYcJGjGn
— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) July 21, 2025
Commentary:
This recall is massive and long overdue. Millions of families have had these pools sitting in their backyards for years, unaware of the risk posed by what seems like a simple support strap.
That it took nine children’s lives to prompt action is a grim reminder of how slow safety oversight can be. Children are naturally drawn to water.
It only takes a moment of distraction for a toddler to slip out the door, find their way to a backyard pool, and be submerged before a parent even notices they’re missing.
For those who have experienced this horror, no repair kit can undo the damage. The good news is that corrective action is finally being taken.
These companies are doing the right thing by offering a free fix. It’s a responsible move—though it should have happened years earlier.
While nothing can bring back the lives lost, preventing future tragedies is the next best step.
The fact that these pools were sold at virtually every major retailer—including Walmart, Home Depot, and Amazon—means this fix needs to be widely advertised.
Families may not even know their pool poses a danger. Time is of the essence here. The repair kits must be easy to request, fast to ship, and simple to install.
There should be no barriers for families trying to make their backyards safer. And while voluntary recalls help, this issue underscores why manufacturers must prioritize safety in design, especially when children are involved.
The Bottom Line:
More than 5 million above-ground pools are being recalled due to a design flaw linked to nine child drownings over 15 years.
The affected companies are now offering free repair kits to fix the issue.
While the response is welcome, it is tragic that it took nearly two decades and several preventable deaths to bring this problem to light.
Families should act quickly to secure or drain their pools until repairs are made.
Read Next
– House Republicans Call For Arrests After ‘Russiagate’ Revelations
– Trump May Withhold Approval of New Stadium if Washington Team Doesn’t Change Name Back to ‘Redskins’
– Why The ‘Made in America’ Label May Be More of a Marketing Tool Than Truthful Advertising
– Defense Department Reshapes Two Centuries of Tradition With Pick To Lead U.S Naval Academy