Five million above-ground pools recalled due to drowning hazard, nine deaths reported
A recall alert has been issued for certain above-ground pools that have been sold across several retailers since 2002.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bestway (Hong Kong) International Ltd., Bestway (U.S.A) Inc., Intex Recreation Corp. and Polygroup North America Inc. announced the recall on Monday.
The recall affects about five million 48-inch and taller above-ground pools that use compression straps and have been sold at several retailers across the nation since 2002.
Retailers include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Sears
- Lowe's
- Kmart
- Toys "R" Us
- Sam's Club
- The Home Depot
- Big Lots
- Costco
- BJ's
Additionally, the pools had been sold online at Amazon, Wayfair, the Bestway USA wesbite, the Intex website, the Funsicle website and the Summer Waves website.
The compression straps, pictured above, wrap around the pool on the outside of the supporting poles, creating a possible foothold that could allow a child to access the pool and drown.
The CPSC believes that nine children beween the ages of 22 months and 3-years-old have drowned after getting in the pools via the footholds the straps could create.
The incidents happened in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri between 2007 and 2022.
Pool models of 48 inches or taller that are included in the recall include the following, found on the CPSC recall alert:
Consumers with a recalled product are encouraged to contact Bestway, Intext and Polygroup to recieve a free repair kit.
Consumers can contact the above companies for a repair kit at the following contacts:
- Bestway can be contacted toll free at 844-593-4003 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Bestway can also be contacted online via email.
- Intex can be contacted toll free at 800-549-8829 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Intex can also be contacted online via email.
- Polygroup can be contacted toll free at 888-621-4137 from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. MT Monday through Friday. Polygroup can also be contacted online via email.
The repair kit consists of a rope that attaches to each of the vertical supports at the ground level and wraps around the pool, maintaining the structural integrity of the pool.
After securing the repair, consumers should cut and remove the compression strap from the pool.
