Above-ground pools are extremely convenient and useful during the summertime, offering families who can’t squeeze an in-ground pool onto their properties a chance to experience some of the luxury of a private pool. However, just recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced they were recalling millions of above-ground pools sold across the nation due to a terrifying safety hazard that could pose a death risk for small children.
This week, the CPSC decided to officially recall around five million above-ground pools sold between now and the early 2000s after it was discovered that a compression strap located around the edge of several models posed a significant drowning risk to young children. Tragically, nine children have died in the same manner due to the straps, and now retailers nationwide are pulling the pools off of shelves, and above-ground pool owners are being warned to be extra vigilant if they purchased one of the recalled pools. Read more about the recall and drowning risk below.
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The CPSC Recalls Above-Ground Pools From Stores Nationwide Due To A 'Drowning Risk'
On July 21st, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an urgent recall of several different brands that manufacture above-ground pools that can be found in people's backyards. They estimate the total number of pools that need to be recalled to be approximately five million, as they were sold by numerous brands, including Bestway, Intex, Coleman, and Polygroup, to massive retailers around the country, like Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon, and more, between 2002 and now.
You may be wondering, "What could have caused such an urgent and sudden recall of products that have been sold over the span of 23 years?" Shockingly, the CPSC reported that a specific part used to build and support the pools was responsible for the death of nine young children since 2007. On these backyard pools is a "compression strap," which, according to the CPSC, "surrounds the outside of the pool legs [and] may create a foothold, allowing a child access to the pool, posing a drowning risk."
Essentially, young children were able to use the strap found along the sides of the pools like a step ladder, allowing them to climb into the pool, presumably without adult supervision.
What To Do If You Own A Recalled Above-Ground Pool
Although there are millions of backyard pools involved in this recall, you'll want to learn more details before panicking. But if you have one set-up in your yard and also have young children, it's essential to be extra vigilant.
According to their statement, the CPSC notes that the only pools affected by this recall are "48-inch and taller above-ground pools with compression straps running on the outside and over the vertical support legs." Therefore, if you do not have a strap running across your backyard pool, you likely don't have anything to worry about.
However, it's important to keep in mind that over the last ten years, these pools have been sold at some of today's most popular online and in-person stores, including Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon, Wayfair, Home Depot, Sam's Club, and more.
The pools typically cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000, and it's a good idea to spread the word to anyone you may know who owns one, to raise awareness and prevent further incidents.
