Clearwater, FL — CPSC Product Recall: Possible Drowning Risk Posed by Above-Ground Pools

Clearwater, FL (July 23rd, 2025) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of approximately 5.2 million above-ground pools after identifying a serious drowning hazard. The pools, manufactured by Bestway, Polygroup, and Intex Recreation Corp, were sold nationwide from 2002 through 2023. According to the CPSC, external support straps used on these pools allow young children to climb into the water, even without a ladder. 

The dangerous design flaw has been linked to at least nine child fatalities, as well as several near-drownings. If you or someone you know owns an above-ground pool, it’s critical to determine whether it’s included in the recall.

Families in Clearwater and throughout Florida face a greater risk simply because pools are a part of everyday life here. With year-round warm weather and frequent backyard swimming, dangerous products like these recalled pools are more likely to be in use, and more likely to cause harm. At Light & Wyatt Law Group, we’re actively monitoring this recall and others like it involving unsafe consumer goods. If your child was injured or killed because of a defective pool, contact our law firm right away. Our attorneys can help you pursue legal action against the manufacturers, distributors, or retailers responsible.

What Caused the Pool Recall?

The issue with the recently recalled product centers on the pool’s external support strap, a fabric or plastic band that wraps around the pool frame and connects to vertical support legs. While intended for structural support, the strap can act as a foothold, allowing toddlers to climb the pool wall and fall in.

These pools were sold under various brand names, including Bestway, Coleman Power Steel, Intex, and Summer Waves. The design flaw spans multiple product lines, sizes, and retailers, including Walmart, Target, Amazon, Lowe’s, and Costco.

Nine Children Dead, Several More Injured

The dangerous product recall follows multiple incidents involving unsupervised children gaining access to the water. At least nine toddlers, all under the age of three-years-old, drowned after using the strap to climb into pools that had no ladder in place. In addition to the deaths, the CPSC identified at least three near drownings in which children were pulled from the water just in time. 

These incidents occurred in Florida, as well as in California, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin over a 16-year span.

Which Pools Are Included in the Recall?

The recall covers pools that:

• Stand at least 48 inches tall
• Feature external compression straps
• Were sold between 2002 and 2023
• Were manufactured by Bestway, Polygroup, or Intex Recreation Corp

Even if no incident has occurred at your home, it’s important to take immediate action if your pool fits this description.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you have a recalled pool, the CPSC recommends stopping use immediately. Restrict access by removing the ladder, installing a barrier, or covering or draining the pool. Then contact the manufacturer to request a free repair kit. These kits include a redesigned ground-level safety rope to replace the dangerous strap.

Install the new rope before removing the strap, following manufacturer and CPSC instructions closely. Use of the pool should not resume until the repair is complete.

Florida Pools Pose Unique Risks

In Florida, pools aren’t seasonal. They’re part of everyday life. Unfortunately, they’re also a leading cause of serious and fatal accidents involving children. Above-ground pools are often viewed as less hazardous than in-ground pools, but that perception can lead to fewer safety measures, and more preventable tragedies.

Drowning and Drowning-Related Injuries

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4 in Florida, according to state health officials. And for every child who dies, many more suffer non-fatal drowning injuries that can result in long-term damage. Oxygen deprivation during a near-drowning event can lead to:

• Brain injury
• Cognitive impairment
• Speech and mobility limitations
• Permanent disability

These injuries often require years of therapy and medical care. Families are left facing overwhelming emotional and financial burdens, especially when the incident was caused by a defective product that should have never reached the market.

In warm-weather communities like Clearwater, where pools are common in both homes and rental properties, the risks are heightened year-round. When a product design flaw enables access to water without adult supervision, the results can be devastating.

Can Families File a Lawsuit Against Pool Manufacturers?

Yes. If a child drowned or was injured because of one of these recalled pools, the family may be able to pursue a product liability claim or wrongful death lawsuit. These cases focus on the manufacturer’s responsibility to design safe products and provide adequate warnings.

If the pool’s design created an unreasonable risk, and the manufacturer failed to recall or fix the issue in time, they may be held financially responsible for the consequences.

What Makes a Case Legally Viable?

A claim may be possible if a child accessed the pool using the strap, no ladder was present, and the pool matched one of the recalled models. Florida law requires showing that the defect caused or contributed to the harm and that reasonable safety measures were in place.

For wrongful death claims, the child’s surviving parents or legal guardians may bring suit. Claims must typically be filed within two years in Florida, so time is limited.

What Compensation Is Available in Claims Involving Recalled Pools?

Victims and families may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical care or emergency treatment
• Mental anguish and emotional trauma
• Funeral or burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
• Loss of companionship and support
• Pain and suffering

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available if the manufacturer ignored known risks or delayed recalling the product.

Call a Clearwater Pool Injury Attorney Today

Pool accidents can change a family’s life forever, especially when they’re caused by something as avoidable as a product defect. If your family has been impacted by this recall, contact the Clearwater injury lawyers at Light & Wyatt Law Group today. We’re here to help you understand your rights, protect your family, and hold manufacturers accountable. Call 727-499-9900 today to schedule a free consultation.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association