The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall of approximately 5 million above-ground pools due to a drowning hazard. This decision follows the tragic deaths of nine children, all under the age of three, over a span of 15 years. The recall was made public on July 21 and affects pools that are 48 inches or taller and utilize compression straps.

These compression straps, which run along the outside of the pool's vertical support legs, can create footholds. This allows children to climb into the pool even if the ladder is removed, increasing the risk of drowning. The CPSC reported that the incidents leading to these fatalities occurred between 2007 and 2022 in several states, including California, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin.

In addition to the nine confirmed deaths, the CPSC is aware of three other incidents from 2011 and 2012 where children accessed the pools using the compression straps. The recalled pools have been sold since 2002 and include models from brands such as Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup.

In a joint statement, the companies emphasized their commitment to customer safety. They noted, "While most above-ground pools 48 inches or taller in height currently being sold today have already addressed this concern, to ensure that these changes can be applied to all above-ground pools sold since 2002 that are 48 inches or taller in height, we are jointly announcing a voluntary recall in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada."

Consumers who own these pools are urged to take immediate precautions. They should ensure that children cannot access the pool unsupervised or drain the pool until a repair can be made. A free repair kit is available from Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup. This kit includes a rope that attaches to the vertical support poles and wraps around the pool, which helps maintain its structural integrity. After securing the rope, customers are instructed to cut and remove the compression strap.

The recalled pools, manufactured in China, were sold at various retailers, including Walmart, Target, Lowe's, and Costco, as well as online. Prices for these pools range from approximately $400 to over $1,000, depending on the model and size. A complete list of the recalled pool models can be found on the CPSC website and the websites of Bestway and Intex.