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5 million swimming pools recalled after deaths of 9 children, including 1 in Florida
Five million above-ground pools are being recalled after nine reports of child drowning deaths, including one in Florida, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced in a release July 21.
The pools use compression straps that wrap around the outside of the supporting poles and may create a foothold, allowing children to access the pool and drown, the CPSC said.
There have been nine reports of children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old who have drowned after climbing into the pools.
The pools have been sold since 2002 by three companies — Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup — at stores across the country including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe's, Kmart, Toys 'R' Us, Sam's Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco, BJ's and more, as well as online at Amazon, Wayfair, Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle and Summer Waves.
"The incidents occurred in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri between 2007 and 2022," the CPSC said. The agency said it was also aware of three other incidents in 2011 and 2012 where children were able to climb in. The CPSC did not provide details.
Consumers are advised to immediately contact the companies to get a free repair kit. The kit includes a rope that replaces the strap and attaches to each of the vertical support poles at the ground level, wrapping around the pool to maintain the structural integrity without offering something to climb on.
Florida No. 1 in unintentional drowning deaths
From 2018 to 2020, Florida had the highest rate of unintentional drowning deaths for children aged 1 to 4 years, the highest unintentional drowning deaths among children 0 to 9, and in 2020 saw the third-highest rate of unintentional drowning deaths for children 0-17 in the nation, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Drowning is the number one cause of death for children between the ages of one and four years old in the United States, according to the CDC. Of the 257 reports of children who have died in Florida so far in 2025 from the Florida Department of Children and Families, 71 listed drowning as the cause of death. There may be many more, as 103 fatalities are listed as still under investigation.
Many more are left alive but with serious outcomes including brain damage and long-term disabilities, the CDC said. Nearly 40% of drowning victims who make it to an emergency room require hospitalization or transfer for further care.
Three children under the age of six drowned in swimming pools in Martin County, all within three weeks of each between June and July.
In 2024, Florida lawmakers passed a bill creating a program to establish a network of swimming lesson instructors in each county and offer vouchers for free swimming lessons to low-income families. Visit WaterSmartFL for more details.
Which above-ground pools have been recalled?
The pools are 48 inches and taller and use compression straps. The pool brand names and model numbers are printed on the pool liner on the outside of the pool, the CPSC said. The pools affected are:
Bestway and Coleman models, sold 2008-2024
Power Steel
Steel Pro
Coleman Power Steel
Intex models, sold 2002-2012
Metal Frame Pools
Ultra Frame Pools
Intex models (sold only at and Walmart, 2024 to 2025)
Prism Frame Pool
Ultra XTR Frame Pool
Polygroup Models, sold 2006 to 2025
Summer Waves (2015-2025)
Summer Escapes (2006-2015)
Funsicle (2023-2025)
Sand n Sun (2008-2011)
Blue Wave (2014-2025)
The recalled pools were made in China, the CPSC said, and retailed between about $400 to over $1,000 depending on the size, model and accessories. Over 200,000 have also been recalled in Canada, according to CPSC.
What do I do if I have one of the recalled pools?
First, make sure that children cannot get near the pool unattended or drain the pool until it can be repaired.
Contact Bestway, Intex or Polygroup to request a repair kit, depending on which model you have.
Bestway: Call toll free at 844-593-4003 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, go online at or email BWrecallsupport5516@ for more information.
Intex: Call toll-free at 800-549-8829 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PTMonday through Friday, go online at or email recallhelp@ for more information.
Polygroup: Call toll-free at 888-621-4137 from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, go online at or email at poolrecall@ for more information.
The repair kit consists of a rope to attach to each of the pool's vertical support poles at the ground level. After securing the rope, customers should cut and remove the original compression strap, the CPSC said.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Swimming pool recall: Intex, Bestway, Polygroup drownings reported
