Recalled above-ground pools pose drowning risk, CPSC says
(WFSB) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 5.2 million above-ground pools.
The pools, made by Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup, use external compression straps that can act as footholds and allow young children to climb into the water without supervision .
CPSC reports at least 9 children, ages 22 months to 3 years, drowned in 6 U.S. states between 2007 and 2022 after using these straps to enter the pools.
The earliest models were sold in 2002, and some were sold as recently as this year.
Consumers are urged to stop use, drain the pool, or block access until a free repair kit, including a rope to replace the strap, is installed.
Pool owners can request the kit from:
- Bestway: 844‑593‑4003
- Intex: 800‑549‑8829
- Polygroup: 888‑621‑413
The recall, numbered 25‑393, covers pools sold since 2002 in major U.S. retailers including Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Costco, Amazon, and others.
A Connecticut-based nonprofit was one of the groups pushing for this type of change.
“Children were able to step up onto that little created almost a ledge, and then those children could fall into the pool,” said Megan Ferraro, Zac Foundation Executive Director. “Quite a few children drowned in that fashion over the course of the last 15 years.”
Megan Ferraro is the executive director of the Zac Foundation.
The Connecticut-based nonprofit advocates for water safety. Around 18 months ago, they sent a letter to the American Society for Testing and Materials to look into this exact issue.
On Monday, the CPSC issued an official recall.
“This recall is not surprising. We’re pleased that the CPSC has done its job and is working with Intex to keep consumers safer in America,” Ferraro said.
If you have one of these pools, you can contact Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup to get a free repair kit that will allow you to secure the pool and cut off the hazardous compression strap.
Ferraro says it’s important for parents to take this recall seriously.
“Drowning is the leading cause of death for kids ages one to four and the second leading cause of death for kids under the age of 14. And many people do not know that, do not understand how quickly and how silently a drowning can happen. As parents, we love our children. We’re doing everything we can to protect them and we have a false sense of security about what water safety looks like,” she said.
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