In conjunction with several product manufacturers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the voluntary recall of about 5 million above-ground swimming pools. The pools have been linked to at least 9 child drowning deaths between 2007 and 2022.
Each of the recalled swimming pools was designed with a compression strap around the outside, wrapped around the center of the pool. However, safety researchers and shocked parents have found that young children could use this compression strap as a foothold and climb into the swimming pool (which stands at about 48” in height) while unattended.
Product manufacturers who are participating in the swimming pool recall include:
- Bestway Inc.
- Intex Recreation Corp.
- Polygroup North America Inc.
The recalled above-ground swimming pools have been sold since 2002 by numerous major retailers, such as:
- Amazon
- Costco
- Lowe’s
- Sam’s Club
- Sears
- Target
- The Home Depot
- Toys”R”Us
- Walmart
In addition to the 9 recorded child drowning deaths linked to these above-ground swimming pools, the CPSC reported at least three nonfatal incidents involving children. It seems that all reports of child deaths and injuries involve the defectively designed compression strap.
On the official CPSC website, the three product manufacturers have provided information to request a repair kit to modify the compression straps, making them unable to be used as footholds by children. The effectiveness of the repair kit is not yet known, though, so parents are urged to still supervise their children when near the pool, even if the modification has been installed.
What You Can Do If You Own a Recalled Above-Ground Pool
You should follow these steps if you think your above-ground swimming pool has been recalled:
- Check the recall: Go to the official CPSC website and check to see if your above-ground swimming pool is part of the recall. If your pool has a compression strap that is not placed behind the vertical support poles, then it has likely been recalled for safety concerns.
- Don’t allow children near the pool: If your pool has been recalled, do not let children near it, supervised or not. You can drain the pool, too, when it is not in use.
- Collect evidence: Take a photograph of the pool on your property. Try to find the pool’s packaging if you still have it and save it. Make a copy of the receipt or other proof of purchase, if possible.
- Call a lawyer: You could have the grounds to file a product liability claim against the pool manufacturer if your child was hurt or endangered due to the defectively designed swimming pool. An attorney can review your case and let you know what legal options are available to you and your family.
Discuss Your Options with Attorney Vic Feazell
At Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we are known for our long history of multi-million dollar case results, which includes victories against major corporations and product manufacturers through product liability, child injury, and wrongful death claims. If your child was injured due to the unsafe design of a recalled above-ground pool, talk to our attorneys to see if you can file a claim. Even if the injury happened years ago or after the recall was announced, you could still have grounds to use legal action against the product maker, so reach out right away.
Call (254) 938-6885 (available 24/7) and schedule your FREE case consultation to begin.