Over 5.2 million pools recalled in US, Canada after 9 reported deaths
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The Brief
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Over 5.2 million aboveground pools are being recalled in the U.S. and Canada due to a drowning risk.
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The recall involves 48-inch pools from Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup with straps that kids can climb.
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Nine U.S. children have drowned; free repair kits are available from the manufacturers.
NEW YORK – Over 5.2 million aboveground swimming pools sold in the U.S. and Canada over the past 20 years are being recalled following reports of nine drowning deaths.
The recall covers a range of Bestway, Intex Recreation and Polygroup pools that were sold by major retailers as far back as 2002.
Why you should care
According to Monday notices published by the U.S. 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.
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That can pose a serious drowning risk, the safety regulatory warn. To date, the CPSC believes nine children across the U.S. 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.
What you can do
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.
Dig deeper
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 to 2002 and as recently as 2025.
About 5 million of these now-recalled pools were sold across the U.S. — including both online and in-stores at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Costco and Amazon. Another 266,000 were sold in Canada.
The Source
The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes from recall notices published on Monday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
