The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), along with Bestway, Intex Recreation Corp., and Polygroup North America Inc., has issued a recall for approximately 5 million 48-inch and taller above-ground pools due to a drowning hazard posed by compression straps. These straps, which wrap around the pool’s exterior and vertical support legs, can act as a foothold, allowing children to climb into the pool even if the ladder is removed.

The CPSC reports that nine children, aged 22 months to 3 years, drowned between 2007 and 2022 in incidents linked to these footholds in states including California, Texas, and Florida. Additionally, three other incidents in 2011 and 2012 involved children using the straps to access the pools. The recalled pools, sold from 2002 to 2025 at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and online platforms such as Amazon, include brands like Coleman, Summer Waves, and Funsicle, with prices ranging from $400 to over $1,000.

Consumers are urged to contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup for a free repair kit, which includes a rope to replace the compression strap while maintaining the pool’s structural integrity. Until the repair is installed, consumers should prevent unsupervised access by children or drain the pool.

For more information, contact Bestway at 844-593-4003, Intex at 800-549-8829, or Polygroup at 888-621-4137, or visit their respective recall websites.