Above-ground pools recalled after nine children drowned using strap footholds
Above-ground pools 48 inches and taller with compression straps over the vertical support legs are being recalled because the strap can create a foothold. CPSC believes nine children have drowned.
What this means for you
Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.
Our severity reasoning: Deaths are reported in the source: CPSC believes nine children drowned after using the compression strap as a foothold, which the rubric scores as Critical regardless of any other factor.
Plain-English summary
Above-ground pools 48 inches and taller with compression straps running on the outside and over the vertical support legs are being recalled. Affected brands include Bestway and Coleman models sold 2008 to 2024 (Power Steel, Steel Pro, Coleman Power Steel) and Intex models sold 2002 to 2012 (Metal Frame Pools, Ultra Frame Pools), together with the further models listed in the recall notice. Brand names and model numbers are printed on the pool liner on the outside of the pool. About 5 million units are affected in the United States, with approximately 266,000 more sold in Canada.
The stated hazard is that the compression strap surrounding the outside of the pool legs may create a foothold, allowing a child access to the pool and posing a drowning risk. CPSC believes that nine children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old have drowned after gaining access to the pools via the footholds, in incidents in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri between 2007 and 2022. CPSC is also aware of three other incidents in 2011 and 2012 where children who gained access to the recalled pools were reported to have previously used the compression strap to gain entry.
The pools have been sold since 2002 at stores nationwide including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe's, Kmart, Toys "R" Us, Sam's Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco and BJ's, and online at Amazon.com, Wayfair.com and the Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle and Summer Waves websites.
Consumers should contact Bestway, Intex or Polygroup to request a repair kit. In the interim, consumers should ensure that children cannot access the pool unattended, or drain the pool until the repair can be installed.
The recalled product
- Product
- 48-inch and taller above-ground pools with compression straps running on the outside and over the vertical support legs
- Hazard
- drowning
- foothold
- child-access
- compression-strap
- fatalities-reported
- Affected units
- 266,000
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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