Usually, when people go shopping for summer essentials at big reputable stores, they intend to buy items like swimsuits or pools. However, a recent development unexpectedly happened over the summer.
Many stores quickly removed a popular product from their shelves, leaving customers wondering why. Unfortunately, the answer to that question isn’t one that anyone likes. This product has been recalled because it has been tied to numerous fatal accidents.
The Brands and Stores Involved
Many big stores, such as Target, Costco, Walmart, and Amazon, have sold a type of above-ground swimming pool that’s now recalled. Since July 2025, both Target and Costco have removed this very popular item from their stores nationwide to cooperate with federal agencies.
Brands like Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup make these pools. Over the years, they have become quite popular, and people enjoy them because they are cheap and easy to put up.
The Reason Behind the Danger
On July 21, 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a formal announcement because it found a serious safety issue with some pool models made since 2002.
The government has decided to recall these pools immediately because nine children, up to the age of three, have lost their lives after getting into the pools.
When and Where These Incidents Happened
These pools have been sold since 2002. The accidents in question happened between 2007 and 2022. Most of the accidents happened at home in different states, like Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Because so many places were affected, officials acted quickly and made a national announcement.
Now, one might ask, why is this recall only happening in 2025? It took many years to establish a connection between the pool’s design and the fatal accidents. Then, they were able to distinguish a pattern from these incidents.
A Design Flaw That Led to Tragedies
These pools were designed with multiple straps on the outside wrapped around the legs to keep the pool up and stabilized. But, as children enjoy exploring, which is not always a good thing, these small children figured out how to use these straps as a foothold to get into the pool as parents removed the ladder for safety reasons.
As Peter A. Feldman, Acting Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, strongly emphasized, “Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announces the long-overdue recall of more than five million Chinese-made above-ground swimming pools due to a flaw that resulted in the drowning deaths of at least nine children…”
“This is a textbook example of a dangerous, visible, and hazardous design flaw. At least nine children aged 22 months to 3 years drowned as a direct result of this hazard… We urge all families to take this recall seriously. If you own one of these pools, obtain a repair kit immediately and remove the compression strap. Do not allow children near the pool until the repair is complete.”
The Number of Pools Affected:
The price range for these types of pools usually ranges between $400 and $1,000, making them affordable for many families. Because they are so affordable, this makes them a significant recall, as roughly five million pools have been sold between 2002 and 2025.
Other Recalls During Recent Times
While this is not the first high-profile recall for Target and Costco this summer, it is definitely one of the saddest. Other products that have been recalled include prepared foods due to contamination risks, power banks as a fire hazard, and even air conditioners that were linked to mold growth.
These products had an impact on some, but none of them is on the same level as the pool’s impact due to the fatalities and the widespread use of this item in family environments.
We Need Better Safety Standards
This situation is why many people are talking about pool safety again. Regulators and safety experts have emphasized that removing the ladder isn’t enough because kids can still climb in using the pool’s straps.
Safety design consultant Dennis Brickman commented, “Most above-ground pools include instructions advising consumers to remove the ladder when the pool is not in use as a best practice for safety, but this can unfortunately give parents a false sense of security, as young children are still able to climb into the pool using exterior features such as the support straps.”
The CPSC has called for the swift implementation of updated design standards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Spreading the Word for Awareness
Stores and safety groups are working together to help families understand the problem. They tell people to see if they have an affected pool by checking for model numbers, contacting manufacturers, getting the free repair kit, and always watching kids around water, even if you’ve removed the ladder or have other safety tools.
How Stores are Helping Customers
Target, Costco, and the pool manufacturers are working fast to fix the problem. They’re giving out free repair kits and helping people determine if their pool is involved in the recall.
A joint statement from Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup reads: “We have a shared commitment to customer safety. While most above-ground pools 48 inches or taller 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, we are jointly announcing a voluntary recall in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada. Safely using our products is important to us, and we are working together to get the word out about this recall and create a seamless process for our customers to participate.”
Dedicated support lines, web portals, and in-store signage are in place to streamline the process.
This is What Pool Owners Should Do
If you own one of these recalled pools, stop using it right away. Lock up the area, use a cover, put up a fence, or even drain the pool if needed to prevent kids from getting in.
Request your free repair kit from the company that made your pool. Lastly, always check for new updates about the recall from safety officials or the pool company.
The Need for Safer Product Designs
Industry experts say this case serves as a wake-up call for the ongoing need to review product design with child safety in mind, especially for outdoor recreation items with a seasonal rush.
As demonstrated here, simple engineering negligence can have fatal consequences that go undetected until tragedy happens.
The Reason Behind Recalls
Federal agencies say that recalls are not set in place to blame anyone, but rather to fix big problems quickly and keep everyone safe. The open collaboration between retailers, manufacturers, and the CPSC in this instance is a good example of how recalls should be handled.
By working together, they can quickly notify the public about potential dangers and provide clear solutions. This approach helps prevent further injuries or tragedies and shows that protecting consumers is the top priority.
Stay Updated and Protect Your Family
Consumers should regularly check the store and CPSC recall pages for updates. Even products you bought years ago or only use in summer might be recalled, and you wouldn’t know until you look.
Many official sites allow you to search by product type, brand, or model number and even sign up for free email alerts, so you automatically get notified if something you own gets recalled.
Take Recalls Seriously
Even though this recall might ruin some summer plans, it’s very important to put safety first, and the public is urged to take recall alerts seriously.
Officials say fixing this design with the repair kits can save lives and ensure a safer summer for all families enjoying backyard fun.