Thousands of above-ground swimming pools are being recalled after regulators warned of a potentially dangerous design issue.
According to a Dec. 18 notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Blue Wave above-ground pools that are 48 inches and taller are included in the recall.
The CPSC says a compression strap (also described as a reinforcing belt) wrapped around the outside of the pool can act like a foothold, allowing children to climb into the water even when the ladder has been removed — creating a drowning risk.
In total, the recall covers 15 specific models and about 13,400 pools. The affected pools were sold nationwide at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Dunham’s Sports, and online through Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Wayfair.com, between January 2021 and July 2025.
The full list of model numbers included in the recall is: NB19790, NB19791, NB19797, NB19798, NB19890, NB19891, NB19900, NB19902, NB19904, NB19905, NB19906, NB19907, NB19908, NB19909, and NB19910.
The CPSC advises anyone who owns one of the recalled pool models to contact Blue Wave to request a free repair kit by calling (800) 603-0475 or emailing recall@bluewaveproducts.com.
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Until the repair is installed, the agency recommends making sure children cannot access the pool without supervision — or draining the pool as a precaution.
No deaths or injuries have been reported specifically involving Blue Wave pools, but (CPSC) acting chairman Peter A. Feldman said the same type of design hazard has been tied to “at least nine deaths over the past 15 years,” according to the Dec. 18 statement. He also urged families to complete repairs as soon as possible, noting that even during colder months, pools should not be used or left accessible until the fix is in place.
The agency’s latest action follows a large recall in July 2025 involving more than 5 million above-ground pools over the same foothold hazard.
