Popular Above-Ground Pool Recalled After Deaths of 9 Children

More than 5.2 million above-ground swimming pools sold across the U.S. and Canada are being recalled due to a potential drowning risk after nine children died over a 15-year span, according to a press release by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada.

The recalled pools, which includes popular brands like Bestway, Intex, Polygroup and Coleman, were sold by retailers as far back as 2002 and come equipped with compression straps which “may create a foothold” for small children, giving them access to the pool even when the ladder is removed.

The CPSC believes that nine children under the age of 3 drowned after gaining access to the pools via said compression straps, which wrap around the outside of the product, according to the release. 

"These straps wrap around the pool on the outside of the supporting poles, and may create a foothold, allowing a child to access the pool and drown," the CPSC states in the report. 

Those deaths occurred between 2007 and 2022 and involved children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old, according to the report. The products have been sold at a variety of popular retailers, including Walmart, Target, Costco and Amazon, although the recall specifies pools that are 48 inches in height or taller. 

The affected products include:

Bestway and Coleman pools sold between 2008-2024Power steelSteel proColeman power steelIntex pools sold between 2002-2012Metal frame poolsUltra frame poolsIntex pools sold only at intexcorp.com and Walmart between 2024 and 2025 (266 pools in total)Prism frame poolUltra XTR frame poolPolygroup pools sold between 2006-2025Summer waves (2015-2025)Summer escapes (2006-2015)Funsicle (2023-2025)Sand n sun (2008-2011)Blue Wave (2014-2025)

According to the press release, the recalled pools were manufactured in China and have been sold since 2002 at stores nationwide, including the following: Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe’s, Kmart, Toys “R” Us, Sam’s Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco and BJ’s, among others, as well as online at Amazon.com, Wayfair.com and Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle and Summer Waves websites.

Consumers in possession of any of the models of recalled swimming 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. If you are unable to do so, consumers are urged to immediately drain the pool until the repair is made.