As parents, we all want our kids to have fun in the summer, as long as they’re safe. And water safety is always top of mind during the summer months. I can’t scroll social media between May and September without seeing a warning, a close call, or a devastating drowning story. So parents will want to know about the recent recall of popular backyard pools after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that the organization “believes nine children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old have drowned after gaining access to the pools via the footholds.”
According to the CPSC recall report, “the compression strap that surrounds the outside of [certain] pool legs may create a foothold, allowing a child access to the pool, posing a drowning risk” (photo below). It’s noted that little ones can still climb up and gain access to the pools using these footholds even if the ladder is removed. If you think you have one of these pools or are visiting a home with one during summer travel, you’ll want to keep reading for everything to know about the latest swimming pool recall and what to do if your pool is affected.
Which backyard swimming pools are part of the recall?
The CPSC and Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup “are announcing the recall of about 5 million, 48-inch and taller above-ground pools that use compression straps. These straps wrap around the pool on the outside of the supporting poles, and may create a foothold, allowing a child to access the pool and drown.” The swimming 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 (among others), as well as online at Amazon.com, Wayfair.com and Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle, and Summer Waves websites.”
The pool brand names and model numbers are printed on the pool liner on the outside of the pool. You can also check the visuals below against your pool’s compression strap.
Full list of recalled backyard pools
| Bestway and Coleman Models Sold 2008-2024 | Intex Models Sold 2002-2012 | Intex Models Sold only at Intexcorp.com and Walmart, 2024-2025 | Polygroup Models Sold 2006-2025 |
| Power Steel | Metal Frame Pools | Prism Frame Pool | Summer Waves (2015-2025) |
| Steel Pro | Ultra Frame Pools | Ultra XTR Frame Pool | Summer Escapes (2006-2015) |
| Coleman Power Steel | Funsicle (2023-2025) Sand n Sun (2008-2011) Blue Wave (2014-2025 |
What should you do if your pool is part of the recall?
According to the CPSC report, if your pool is on the recall list you should “immediately contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup to receive a free repair kit consisting of a rope that attaches to each of the vertical support poles at the ground level and wraps around the pool. The rope will maintain the structural integrity of the pool (a function previously served by the compression strap). Consumers should first secure the repair and then cut and remove the compression strap from the pool.“ Click the contact links below for your specific pool or to check your model number:
The CPSC recommends owners “should ensure that children cannot access the pool unattended or, alternatively, drain the pool until the repair can be installed.”
Pool safety tips
For a good reminder, check out this list of expert-backed pool safety tips from The Everymom’s water safety guide and PoolSafely.gov:
- Always designate someone as a ‘water watcher’ with no phone or other distractions. Never leave children unattended.
- Proper pool fences (minimum 4-feet tall and not climbable), barriers, alarms, and covers can be lifesaving devices.
- Keep exterior house doors closed at all times so children don’t accidentally wander outside and climb/fall into the pool.
- Outfit your children in bright, neon swimsuits that are orange, yellow, or green for easy visibility in the water.
- Teach children how to swim and play safely around the pool and other bodies of water.
- Get certified in CPR for children and adults.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
Feature images credited to: Target, Walmart, and Home Depot.
