Recall alert: 5 million backyard pools recalled due to potentially deadly design flaw

Officials have ordered a massive recall of above-ground swimming pools sold at a number of major national retailers following the death of nine children.

The recall affects pools manufactured by Bestway, Intex and Polygroup and relates only to "48-inch and taller above-ground pools with compression straps running on the outside and over the vertical support legs."

The decision was announced in a statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), who revealed that around five million pools have been recalled as of July 21. The recall stems from the deaths of nine children, all aged between 22 months and three years old, in the period from 2007 to 2022.

It is thought that the structure of these pools - with compression straps holding in place vertical poles - allowed young children to climb up and into the pool without adult supervision. They therefore pose a risk of drowning, even when the ladder is removed. These tragic incidents took place in California, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin.

In a statement to ABC News, Bestway, Intex and Polygroup described the recall as part of their “shared commitment to customer safety.”

“While most above-ground pools 48 inches or taller in height currently being sold today have already addressed this concern, to ensure that these changes can be applied to all above-ground pools sold since 2002 that are 48 inches or taller in height, we are jointly announcing a voluntary recall in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada,” the statement said.

“The safe use of our products is important to us, and we are working together to get the word out about this recall and create a seamless process for our customers to participate.”

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