Word’s out: a product’s being pulled, and it’s not some minor cleanup job. A bunch of above-ground pools, sold over the years at places like Home Depot, are being flagged after multiple kids drowned. The problem? Something most people wouldn’t think twice about: the straps on the outside. Turns out those straps gave toddlers just enough help to climb in when no one was watching. Now federal officials are telling families to act fast. These pools have been on the market for years. Millions of them. And for some families, the consequences have already been heartbreaking.
Background of the Recall
Between 2002 and 2025, there were several incidents involving very young children (some not even two years old) who got into these pools without help and drowned. Everything seemed secure, but the straps on the pool gave them just enough to climb in. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada both reviewed what was happening, and honestly, the pattern was too clear to ignore. This wasn’t about careless parenting or unusual situations. It was a design detail that went unnoticed for too long. The official recall came on July 21, 2025, after those deaths had already happened.
Affected Brands and Models
The recall spans more than just one brand. It includes Intex, Bestway, Polygroup, and Funsicle. You might know some of the models under other names too, like Coleman or Summer Waves. They all follow the same basic design: tall pools with straps on the outside to hold everything in place. Doesn’t matter if you bought yours online last month or from a big box store fifteen years ago. These showed up everywhere, from Home Depot and Walmart to Target and Costco. If your pool was sold any time from 2002 through 2025, you’re being told to double check the model.
Description of the Hazard
The pools in question use exterior compression straps to hold up the walls. While structurally necessary, these straps stick out just enough to act like a ladder. For small children, especially toddlers, that’s all it takes. They manage to climb in on their own, and most of the time, no adult sees it happening. What’s supposed to be a safety feature ends up becoming a danger. These pools don’t need a built-in ladder for a child to climb in. The design unintentionally gives them the boost. What makes it risky isn’t a defect. It’s that the structure unintentionally invites kids to pull themselves up.
Incident Reports and Fatalities
So far, nine young children have died, all under four. These weren’t cases of neglect or kids left to roam. They found a way in (climbing the pool straps like stairs) and didn’t make it out. It didn’t happen all at once, either. These cases were spread across years, across different states, and across different families. Some parents thought the pool was safe because there wasn’t a ladder in sight. But the straps were enough. That’s what keeps showing up in the reports. Over time, the pattern got too clear to ignore. This wasn’t just a random incident. This was repeatable.
Scope of the Recall
This recall affects about five million pools. Yes, a million and above! You could find these in big stores, online, at pop-ups, and even in local hardware chains. If your pool has been around a while, even since the early 2000s, there’s a chance it’s part of this. Doesn’t matter which store you got it from. Home Depot, Walmart, Target, they all carried versions of it. What’s wrong here goes beyond quality control. The design itself is the issue. So if your pool stands tall and has those outer straps, you should assume it’s affected until you check and confirm otherwise. The timeline runs from 2002 right up to this year.
Consumer Safety Recommendations
If your pool matches one of the recalled models, stop letting anyone use it. Not tomorrow. Now. Don’t assume standing nearby or checking once in a while is enough. Kids are fast, and the accidents that happened did so in seconds. Until the water’s drained or repairs are done, it’s safest to keep the area off-limits and remove anything a child could climb on, including ladders. Double check gates, even if they’ve never been opened by a child before. Many parents believed they’d done enough to keep their kids safe, until they found out they hadn’t. This is a warning worth taking seriously.
Repair Kit and How to Get It
If your pool is part of the recall, you can request a free kit that replaces the higher straps with a safer, lower option. It includes everything you need, plus instructions to help you install it at home. To request one, contact the company that made your pool, such as Intex, Bestway, Polygroup, or Funsicle, using the phone number or website listed on the official recall notice. Each company has a process in place, and no proof of purchase is required for most models. The goal is to get these kits out fast. If you’re unsure which brand made your pool, check the frame or original packaging.
Why This Recall Matters
This isn’t some rare freak thing or a busted part here and there. The issue was baked into the design. Something that was supposed to hold the pool together ended up giving toddlers a way in. That’s the part that stings. Families used these pools for years, trusting them completely. Nothing seemed wrong, but the danger was always there. And now, after several kids didn’t make it, we’re all seeing it for what it is. Responding to this recall means taking seriously a danger that’s already claimed lives.
Resources and How to Check Your Pool
Start by checking the frame, the liner, or even the manual if you still have it. Look for the brand and model number. It might be Intex, Bestway, Polygroup, or Funsicle. Those are the main brands involved. After that, head to their websites or the CPSC recall page. They’ll walk you through what to do if your pool matches. And don’t skip this just because nothing bad has happened at your house. That’s exactly the mindset that leaves people blindsided. Take five minutes, double check, and if it’s on the list, follow through.