About 5 million above-ground pools were recalled by Intex, Bestway and Polygroup after 9 children drowned when they climbed up using a compression strap as a foothold.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Above-Ground Pool injury cases in all 50 states. If your child was injured or drowned in an above-ground pool that was recalled, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
5 Million Above-Ground Pools Recalled After 9 Children Drown
In July 2025, safety officials recalled 5 million above-ground pools made by Intex, Bestway, and Polygroup after 9 children drowned since 2007. These pools have been sold nationwide since 2002 at Target, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Amazon, and other major retailers.
What Happened?
The children who died were all under 3 years old. They were able to climb into the pool by using a compression strap on the outside of pool legs. The compression strap around the pool can create a foothold, allowing children to gain access to the pool, even without the ladder.
How Did Children Get Into The Pools?
On the recalled pools, there is a compression strap that is wrapped around the outside of the pool to give it support. The strap goes on the outside of the pool’s vertical support legs, which creates a gap. This gap can be used as a foothold by children to climb up into the pool.
How Many Children Drowned?
The pools have been linked to the drowning deaths of at least 9 children since 2007. Another 3 incidents were “close-calls” involving children who were able to gain access to the pool using the foothold.
These tragic drowning deaths have been reported in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri.
Where Were The Pools Sold?
The recall involves above-ground pools that were sold nationwide in the U.S. and Canada since 2002 at stores like Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe’s, Kmart, Toys ‘R’ Us, Sam’s Club, The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco and BJ’s (among others), Amazon.com, and other websites.
Was My Pool Recalled for Drowning Hazards?
The recall only involves certain above-ground pools that measure 48-inches or higher. These pools have a compression strap that runs on the outside of the vertical support legs, creating a gap that can be used as a foothold. Pools with a compression strap going behind the vertical support legs (so there is no foothold) are NOT being recalled.
What Should I Do?
Customers are urged to visit the recall website for Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup, and contact the company to register for a free repair kit. Until the repair kit is installed, do not allow children to access the pool unattended, or drain the pool until it is repaired.
Do I Have an Above-Ground Pool Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Above-Ground Pool injury cases in all 50 states. If your child was injured or drowned in an above-ground pool that was recalled, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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