Millions of Above-ground Pools Recalled After Children Drowning Across U.S. and Canada

Over 5.2 million above-ground pools sold throughout the United States and Canada are being recalled following multiple reports of child drownings.

The recall affects various models from Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup that were available for purchase at major retailers dating back to 2002.

According to safety warnings issued Monday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, the pools feature exterior compression straps that may act as climbing aids for young children, allowing them to access the water without supervision.

The CPSC has linked nine child drowning deaths in the U.S. to this design flaw. These incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022 and involved children ranging in age from 22 months to 3 years old. No similar fatalities have been reported in Canada.

Consumers who own the affected pool models are urged to contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup to request a free repair kit. The fix includes a rope to replace the problematic compression strap.

Until repairs are completed, officials recommend keeping children away from the pools or draining the water to prevent any further risk.

All recalled pools are at least 48 inches in height and can be identified through model names listed on the CPSC and Health Canada recall pages.

The products were sold both in stores and online at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Costco, Lowe’s, and Amazon, with sales continuing through 2025.

Roughly 5 million of the recalled pools were sold in the United States and 266,000 in Canada.

Millions of Above-ground Pools Recalled After Child Drowning Deaths Across U.S. and Canada