More than five million aboveground pools sold across the U.S.—including hundreds in Charlotte—are being recalled following nine reported child drownings.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the recall on July 21, 2025, warning that compression straps running outside the pool structure can act as footholds for children, allowing unsupervised access to the water. The hazard affects 48-inch and taller aboveground pools manufactured by Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup.
The recalled models were sold at major retailers such as Walmart, Lowe’s, Target, Costco, and Amazon from 2002 through early 2025. The CPSC said the nine drownings occurred between 2007 and 2022, involving children ages 22 months to 3 years.
Consumers are urged to contact the manufacturers to receive a free repair kit that includes a rope replacement for the hazardous strap. Until then, the CPSC advises keeping children away from affected pools or draining the water completely to prevent access.
The recall does not include pools where the strap runs behind the vertical support poles, a design considered less hazardous.
Pool owners can verify whether their model is affected by reviewing the CPSC’s recall list, which includes brand names, model numbers, and images illustrating the problematic strap designs.
For more information, visit cpsc.gov/recalls.
