Recall of Aboveground Pools Due to Drowning Risks
In a concerning development, over 5.2 million aboveground swimming pools sold in the United States and Canada are being recalled following reports of nine tragic drowning incidents involving young children. The pools affected are from Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup, with sales dating back to 2002.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning about these pools, noting that they feature compression straps that may inadvertently provide a footing for small children, allowing unsafe access to the water when left unattended. The agency has reported that these incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022, involving children aged between 22 months and 3 years old. Thankfully, no additional fatalities have occurred in Canada.
For current owners of these pools, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Consumers are encouraged to reach out to Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup to obtain a free repair kit, which will include a rope to replace the problematic compression strap. In the meantime, caregivers should ensure that small children cannot access the pool unsupervised. Draining the pool until the repair is made is also a recommended safety measure.
The recall specifically targets pools that are 48 inches or taller. Identifying details can be found in the official recall notices provided by both the CPSC and Health Canada. Approximately 5 million pools were sold in the U.S., primarily through well-known retailers like Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Costco, and Amazon, with an additional 266,000 pools sold in Canada.
As families enjoy their backyards during warmer months, it’s a reminder of the importance of pool safety and the need for vigilance to prevent such tragic accidents.
