5 Million Above-Ground Pools Recalled Due to Drowning Risk

Nine children have drowned after using straps on the outside of the recalled pools to climb inside without a ladder. See if your pool may be affected and how to fix it.

save article

By Wyndi Kappes, Associate Editor

Published July 23, 2025

Image: New Africa | Shutterstock

Pool safety is top of mind for families during the summer months, and for good reason. Drowning is the leading cause of death for kids under 4 in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). And while there are plenty of tools from gates to alarms and covers to keep your child safe, there are also a few unexpected hazards.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and pool manufacturers Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup have issued a voluntary recall of several models of above-ground pools due to drowning risks. Each of the 48-inch and taller, above-ground pools features a compression strap on the exterior, intended to maintain the structural integrity of the pool. Unfortunately, children can use these straps to climb into the pools unsupervised and without a ladder, leading to several close calls and nine fatal drownings of children between 22 months and 3 years old since 2007.

The recalled pools have been sold in stores nationwide, including Walmart, Amazon, Target, Home Depot and more. You can check if your pool is a part of the recall by looking at the pool brand names and model numbers printed on the pool liner on the outside of the pool. Recalled models include:

Bestway and Coleman Models, sold 2008 to 2024: Power Steel, Steel Pro and Coleman Power Steel.
Intex Models, sold 2002 to 2012 and 2024-2025: Metal Frame Pools and Ultra Frame Pools, as well as Prism Frame Pools and the Ultra XTR Frame Pools.
Polygroup Models, sold 2006 to 2025: Summer Waves, Summer Escapes and Funsicle/Sand n Sun/Blue Wave

Parents with recalled pools should block off access to pools when not in use and supervise children when using. You can reach out to Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup for a free repair kit to shore up safety. The repair kit includes a rope that attaches to each of the vertical support poles at the ground level and wraps around the pool. Parents should first secure the repair and then cut and remove the compression strap from the pool to maintain the pool’s structural integrity.

For more information about the recall and to request your free repair kit, visit CPSC.gov.

save article