Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup Above-Ground Pools 48-Inches and Taller Recalled Over Drowning Hazard

Product Recalls - July 31, 2025

Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup Issues Recall for Numerous Above-Ground Pools 48-Inches and Taller Over Drowning Risk

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 30, 2025) – Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup have all issued recalls for their above-ground pools that are 48-inches and taller because they can pose a serious drowning risk to children.

The recall was issued on July 21, 2025. Roughly 5,000,000 of the affected pools from Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup were sold prior to the recall.

The recall affects all above ground pools that are 48 inches or taller and have compression straps running along the outside over the vertical support legs.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the compression strap that surrounds the pools may create a foot hole that allows a child to climb into the pool. This creates a serious drowning risk for children

Children between the ages of 22 months and three years old, have drowned after using the compression strap to gain access to the pool. In all, nine children have tragically died.

Liability for Injuries Caused by Pools

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of preventable injury, and death for young children. According to the American Red Cross, “Every year in the United States, an estimated 4,000 die from unintentional drowning. That is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day. There are twice as many people who experience non-fatal drownings, at an average of 22 non-fatal drownings per day. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years.” Many different measures can be taken to prevent drownings.

• Barriers: One of the most effective ways to prevent children from drowning in pools is to erect a barrier around the pool with a self-closing mechanism.
• Supervision: Children should be monitored at all times when they are near a pool or other body of water.
• Emergency Preparedness: If a child is in distress in the water, having a supervising adult that is trained in CPR and basic water rescue can make all the difference in the world.

Companies that design, consumer products have a legal obligation to ensure that they are reasonably safe. They must take into consideration all of the ways that their product could be used and even misused. Among other things, it is well understood that children have a propensity to climb furniture and other objects. It is simply dangerous for any pool to have a place where children could gain a foot hold to pull themselves into the water.

A number of lawsuits have been filed after children were killed by defective pools. Consider, for example, Justice v. Rural King Holdings, LLP (E.D. Mo. 2022). A two-year-old girl drowned after gaining access to an above ground pool by using the nylon strap wrapped around the pool as a foot hold. Attorneys, for the plaintiff argued that the manufacturer was liable for failure to warn and strict liability. The strap was deemed defective because it enables unintended access to the pool. It is important that certain steps are taken after any injury involving an above ground pool.

• Medical Records: All medical records related to injuries should be preserved and collected.
• Evidence Preservation: The defective product should be stored in a safe location where it is not likely to cause further harm.
• Legal Advice: Victims should seek the guidance of an experienced product liability attorney. They can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.

Losing a child can be one of the most hard wrenching and difficult experiences that most people will ever go through. The pain can be 10 times worse when a death is the result of a preventable accident. Sadly, companies that manufacture defective products will virtually never admit that they did anything wrong. They will blame the consumers for what happened and hide behind their own team of lawyers. This is why it is so important that victims seek the guidance of an experienced attorney.

Getting Legal Help For Injuries With Consumer Products

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who have lost children in accidents with above ground pools from Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup. It is our sincere hope that all of the affected products will be successfully recalled before even more children are seriously injured or killed. These tragic accidents raise important questions. Why weren’t these pools were called even sooner? Why did it take the deaths of nine children before action was taken?

Has your child been harmed while using an above ground pool from Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup? You may have legal recourse. Our team of highly experienced product liability attorneys are here to assist you in any way that we can. We can investigate the unique facts of your case at no cost and let you know what your legal options are. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.