With the rise of temperatures, many families set up portable pools in their gardens to refresh summer days. These practical and accessible structures have become commonplace in backyards all over the world. However, a recent warning from US authorities states that this product is being removed from the market due to serious risks to children’s safety.
The United States Consumer Product Security Commission (CPSC) ordered the collection of five million high pools after the confirmation of nine drowning deaths involving children under the age of three. The risk, according to the statement, is on the compression strips installed on the sides of the swimming pools, which, despite serving to reinforce the structure, facilitate the access of children to the interior, even in the absence of stairs.
Nine deaths, three brands and a misdipled risk
According to CPSC, the problem affects models over 1.20 meters high since 2002 by three manufacturers: Bestway, Intex and Polygroup. These pools were produced in China and distributed in the United States by chains such as Walmart, Target, Sears and Tays “R” US, as well as platforms like Amazon. About 266,000 units were also sold in Canada.
Between 2007 and 2023, nine children, aged 22 months and 3 years, lost their lives after accessing the pools alone. In at least three other situations, non-fatal incidents were recorded. All involved the involuntary use of compression strips as support to climb.
The high pools, often seen as safe and economic alternatives to permanent buildings, can, in this case, hide a real danger. Authorities stress that the problem is not on the stairs or depth, but in the outside structure itself, which inadvertently allows young children to be able to climb to the edge of the pool without help.
What to do if you have one of these pools
CPSC recommends that consumers check the pool label, where the brand and model number are indicated. If the product is included in the collection list, manufacturers are providing a security kit for free. This kit includes a reinforcement rope that replaces compression strips, fixing pool brackets to the ground and preventing them from functioning as steps.
The new safety system should be installed before removing the old strips. Until then, those responsible ask that families ensure that children do not have access to the pool without supervision or, alternatively, to completely empty the structure.
Although such incidents are not frequent, it recalls that, every year, about 350 children under the age of five drowned in pools in the United States. Most cases occur in a domestic context and involves a few minutes of distraction.
This case underlines the importance of assessing not only obvious risks, but also the less visible details that can compromise safety in family spaces. Causes of accidental death among children in the United States. It is estimated that, every year, about 350 children under five die in pools.
The warning makes it clear that the danger is not always where we expect. And even at home, aquatic security should be taken seriously.
Also read:
