The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in conjunction with Bestway (Hong Kong) International Ltd., Intex Recreation Corp., and Polygroup North America Inc., has announced a significant recall of approximately 5 million above-ground pools. This urgent action comes after reports of nine drowning deaths involving children, highlighting a critical safety hazard associated with the pools’ design.
The recall, announced on July 21, 2025, targets above-ground pools that are 48 inches or taller and feature compression straps running on the outside and over the vertical support legs. The core issue is that these compression straps can inadvertently create a foothold, allowing young children to climb into the pool, even if the ladder has been removed. This design flaw poses a severe drowning risk.
Tragically, the CPSC believes that nine children, ranging in age from 22 months to 3 years old, have drowned after gaining access to these pools via the hazardous footholds. These incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022 across multiple states, including California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Additionally, three other incidents were reported in 2011 and 2012 where children used the compression strap to enter the pool, though these did not result in fatalities.
The recalled pools were sold under various brand names, including Bestway, Coleman, Intex, and Polygroup’s Summer Waves, Summer Escapes, Funsicle, Sand n Sun, and Blue Wave models. These pools have been available for purchase since 2002, with specific sales periods varying by brand: Bestway and Coleman models from 2008 to 2024, Intex models from 2002 to 2012 (with some specific models sold at Intexcorp.com and Walmart from 2024 to 2025), and Polygroup models from 2006 to 2025.
Consumers purchased these pools at major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe’s, Kmart, Toys “R” Us, Sam’s Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco, and BJ’s. They were also sold online through platforms like Amazon.com, Wayfair.com, and the websites of Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle, and Summer Waves. The pools, manufactured in China, retailed for approximately $400 to over $1,000, depending on size and accessories. In addition to the 5 million units in the U.S., approximately 266,000 affected pools were sold in Canada.
Consumers who own one of these recalled pools should immediately contact Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup to receive a free repair kit. The kit includes a rope designed to attach to each vertical support pole at ground level and wrap around the pool, maintaining its structural integrity—a function previously served by the hazardous compression strap. Once the rope is secured, consumers are instructed to cut and remove the original compression strap from the pool.
In the interim, before the repair kit can be installed, it is crucial for consumers to ensure that children cannot access the pool unattended. Alternatively, draining the pool is recommended until the repair is complete. The companies involved, along with Health Canada, have expressed a shared commitment to customer safety and are working to facilitate a seamless recall process.
For more information and to request a free repair kit, consumers can contact the respective companies:
- Bestway: Toll-free at 844-593-4003 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday), online at BWrecallsupport.expertinquiry.com, or via email at [email protected].
- Intex: Toll-free at 800-549-8829 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday-Friday), online at www.Intexcorp.com/recall, or via email at [email protected].
- Polygroup: Toll-free at 888-621-4137 (5 a.m. to 11 p.m. MT, Monday-Friday), online at https://polygrouprecall.com, or via email at [email protected].
The CPSC emphasizes the importance of pool safety and offers free, downloadable educational materials on its PoolSafely.gov website, covering topics such as barriers, covers, alarms, and other vital safety information to prevent drownings.
