LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — A hidden hazard lurking on the outside of millions of above-ground pools has caused tragedy in nine families—including one in Michigan—triggering a nationwide recall and urgent repairs.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall affecting nearly 5 million above-ground pools that stand 48 inches or taller. The recall covers popular brands such as Bestway, Coleman, Intex, and Polygroup, with models sold over the past 20 years.

MORE NEWS: Michigan Elections Integrity Committee Chair: ‘Benson and Her Cronies’ are Violating Election Law

The concern centers on faulty compression straps attached around the pools’ supporting poles, according to the Detroit Free Press. These straps unintentionally serve as footholds, enabling young children—mostly under age 3—to climb into the pools unsupervised, leading to nine drownings between 2007 and 2022, including one in Michigan.

The CPSC cautions, “These straps wrap around on the outside of the supporting poles, and may create a foothold, allowing a child to access the pool and drown.”

These pools were widely available at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Home Depot, as well as online platforms including Amazon and Wayfair.

Pool owners are urged to immediately block access to their pools and reach out to the manufacturers to receive a free repair kit. This kit replaces the unsafe strap with a secure rope installed near the pool’s base, after which the original strap must be removed.

The recalled pools carry price tags between approximately $400 and upwards of $1,000, with over 200,000 additional units also pulled from the Canadian market.