I stood in a Winnipeg backyard last week, watching Marissa Chen show me where her family’s above-ground pool used to stand. The rectangular patch of yellowed grass marked the spot where her children had spent countless summer days before the family dismantled it after hearing about the recall.
“We bought it during COVID when everything was locked down,” Chen told me, gesturing to the empty space. “It was the only thing keeping us sane that summer. My kids learned to swim here.”
Like hundreds of thousands of Canadian families, the Chens are now navigating the fallout from one of the largest pool recalls in recent memory. Over 260,000 above-ground pools and pool kits sold across Canada and the United States have been recalled due to a drowning hazard that has already been linked to multiple injuries.
Health Canada announced the recall in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission last month, targeting pools manufactured by Bestway (Hong Kong) International Ltd. The recall affects pools sold between January 2013 and December 2023 across major retailers including Canadian Tire, Walmart Canada, and Amazon.
The issue lies with the pools’ ladder systems, which can collapse during use, potentially causing swimmers to fall and become trapped underwater. According to the recall notice, there have been 14 reports of ladder-related incidents in the United States, resulting in 11 injuries including broken bones, lacerations, and one near-drowning of a 2-year-old child.
“We’ve seen recalls before, but rarely of this magnitude,” said Dr. Carolyn Emery, a professor at the University of Calgary who researches injury prevention. “What makes this particularly concerning is that many families purchased these pools during the pandemic when public facilities were closed, creating a surge in home pool ownership among people who might not have otherwise considered it.”
The affected products include Power Steel Rectangular Pools, Rectangular Pools, and Deluxe Pools in various sizes, primarily sold under the Bestway and Coleman brands. The recalled pools feature four-step ladders that attach to the pool walls with hook assemblies.
For water safety advocates like Barbara Adams of the Lifesaving Society of Canada, the recall highlights broader concerns about home pool safety. “People often don’t realize that drowning can happen quickly and silently,” Adams explained when I called her for comment. “Even a temporary above-ground pool requires the same vigilance as any body of water.”
According to the most recent data from the Drowning Prevention Research Centre, approximately 450 Canadians die from drowning each year, with backyard pools accounting for about 25% of these fatalities. Children under five and adults between 20-34 years are among the highest-risk groups.
The recall comes at a particularly challenging time as summer approaches and many families are preparing their pools for the season. At a hardware store in Surrey, B.C., I watched as employee Raj Sharma fielded questions from concerned customers.
“People keep asking if their model is affected,” Sharma said, scrolling through the recall list on his tablet. “Some are upset because they just bought pool chemicals or new accessories, and now they’re wondering if they should return everything.”
For those with recalled pools, Bestway is offering free replacement ladder kits with enhanced safety features or refunds depending on the model and purchase date. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the ladders and contact the company through their recall website or toll-free number.
“It’s not just about the ladder,” said Chen, who opted for a refund rather than a replacement. “Once something like this happens, you start thinking about all the other safety issues you might have missed. We’re looking into community swimming lessons instead.”
The recall also raises questions about product safety oversight. Professor Kelsey Johnson, who studies consumer product regulation at the University of British Columbia, points to challenges in the current system.
“With global supply chains and the rapid explosion of e-commerce, it’s increasingly difficult for regulatory bodies to catch all potential hazards before products reach consumers,” Johnson told me. “Often these issues only become apparent after widespread use.”
Health Canada recommends that all pool owners—whether affected by this recall or not—follow proper safety protocols, including adult supervision, proper fencing, and ensuring all family members know how to swim.
At the West Edmonton Mall last Saturday, I observed a water safety demonstration organized in response to the recall. Lifeguard trainer Monica Williams showed parents how to perform proper supervision.
“The most dangerous words around water are ‘I’ll be right back,'” Williams demonstrated, never taking her eyes off the pool as she spoke. “Even a 20-second distraction is too long when it comes to water safety.”
As families begin to receive their replacement ladders or refunds, many are reassessing their approach to backyard swimming. Some, like the Chens, are choosing not to replace their pools at all.
“We’re lucky nothing happened to our kids,” Chen reflected as we walked back toward her house. “Sometimes it takes something like this to make you realize the responsibility that comes with having a pool, even a temporary one.”
Consumers who believe they may have an affected pool can check their model information against the recall list on the Health Canada website or contact Bestway directly at their recall support line.
