Pool sales spanning over 5.2 million units in the U.S. and Canada have been suspended following nine reported fatalities
In a recent development, three major manufacturers - Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup - have issued a recall for millions of above-ground swimming pools sold between 2002 and 2025. The recall is due to a serious drowning hazard associated with specific models that are 48 inches tall or more, and feature a compression strap running on the outside over the vertical support legs.
The affected models include Power Steel, Steel Pro, Coleman Power Steel, Outbound from Bestway; Metal Frame Pools, Ultra Frame Pools, Funsicle from Intex; and Summer Waves, Summer Escapes from Polygroup. Sales of these pools have been widespread, with major retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Walmart, Lowe's, Target, Sam's Club, and more carrying the products.
The issue lies in the compression strap around the pool legs, which creates a foothold, enabling young children to access the pool even if the ladder is removed. This unsupervised access poses a significant drowning risk, with nine child deaths linked to these pools since 2002.
To mitigate this risk, customers with recalled pools are advised to immediately contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup to request a free repair kit. The repair kit includes a replacement rope that maintains the pool's structural integrity and prevents footholds on the compression band. Until the repair is applied, it is strongly recommended that children not be allowed to access the pool unsupervised or the pool should be drained.
The recall number is 25-393, and it covers over 5.2 million pools sold in the US and 266,000 in Canada. The drowning incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022, involving children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) believes nine children in the US have drowned after gaining access to these pools. The pools can be identified by their brand and model names listed on the CPSC and Health Canada's recall notices.
Owners are urged to check the CPSC and Health Canada's recall notices for the specific brand and model of their pool. The recall is ongoing, and it is crucial for consumers to take immediate action to ensure the safety of their children. For more information, contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup directly.
In light of the ongoing recall, businesses in the health-and-wellness sector, such as Bestway and Intex, have taken a proactive approach to address safety concerns in their science and technology-engineered products. To ensure the well-being of consumers, they are offering free repair kits for all recalled swimming pool models associated with the reported drowning hazard.
