13,480 Blue Wave Pools Recalled After 9 Toddlers Drowned Using Strap as Ladder—Full Refunds Available Now
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 13,480 above-ground pools on December 18, 2025 due to drowning risk. A compression strap wrapping around pool legs creates a foothold that lets children climb in even without a ladder. This defect contributed to 9 toddler deaths between 2007-2022. SereneLife owners get full refunds (must destroy pool and send photo proof). Blue Wave owners get free repair kits. Act immediately—children are drowning using these straps as footholds.
What Makes These Pools Deadly
The compression strap that surrounds the outside of the pool legs may create a foothold, allowing a child access to the pool, posing a drowning risk.
The strap—also called a reinforcing belt—wraps around the pool on the outside of vertical support poles. It sits about waist-high on a toddler, creating the perfect stepping point.
Children can still gain access to the pools using these footholds even if the ladder is removed.
Parents think removing the ladder makes the pool safe. It doesn’t. Kids as young as 2 years old can use the compression strap to pull themselves over the edge.
At least nine toddlers drowned between 2007 and 2022 after getting into the pools by climbing on the straps.
How Many Pools Were Recalled
The Dec. 18 recalls affect roughly 13,400 Blue Wave pools and 80 SereneLife Home brand pools, described to be 48 inches tall or higher.
Total recalled: 13,480 pools
This recall follows a July recall of more than 5.2 million pools made by Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup for the same deadly design flaw.
The issue isn’t isolated to one brand—it’s an industry-wide problem affecting millions of above-ground pools sold across America.
Which Pool Models Are Recalled
SereneLife Home Pools (80 units):
Models SLPORND15 and SLPORND18 – All SereneLife brand above-ground pools 48 inches and taller
Model information and the SereneLife logo are printed on the liner on the outside of the pool.
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Blue Wave Pools (13,400 units):
All Blue Wave brand above-ground pools 48 inches and taller across 15 specific models:
- NB19790: Blue Wave 15-Ft Rd 48-In Active Frame Pool (UPC: 672875005895)
- NB19791: Blue Wave 15-Ft Rd 52-In Active Frame Pool (UPC: 672875005925)
- NB19797: Blue Wave 18-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool (UPC: 672875006106)
- NB19798: Blue Wave 24-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool (UPC: 672875006137)
- NB19890: Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 15-Ft Round 48-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875004874)
- NB19891: Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875004881)
- NB19900: Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Gray Rattan Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009565)
- NB19902: Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Espresso Wicker Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009589)
- NB19904: Blue Wave 15-Ft Round 48-In Navy Blue Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009916)
- Additional models (check full CPSC list)
Model numbers are printed on the original box, instruction manual, and the Blue Wave logo is printed on the liner on the outside of the pool.
When These Pools Were Sold
SereneLife pools: Sold on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Wayfair.com, Target.com and Serenelifehome.com from December 2021 through May 2025.
Blue Wave pools: Sold nationwide between January 2021 and July 2025.
Blue Wave’s pools were available at retailers including Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Dunham’s Sports, as well as online through Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair.
Prices ranged from about $600 to $2,000, depending on size and accessories.
SereneLife Owners: How to Get Full Refund
SereneLife customers are being offered a full refund.
What you must do:
- Stop using the pool immediately
- Destroy or dispose of the pool
- Take clear photographs showing the pool has been destroyed
- Contact SereneLife Home with photo evidence
- Receive full refund
Contact information:
Phone: 888-619-6770 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday) Email: [email protected] Website: https://serenelifehome.com/pages/recalls
What counts as destruction proof:
- Photos showing the pool dismantled
- Photos of pool liner cut up
- Photos of pool frame broken down
- Receipt from disposal facility if you took it to the dump
Don’t throw away the pool before taking photos. You need visual evidence that it’s been destroyed or disposed of to get your refund.
Blue Wave Owners: How to Get Free Repair Kit
Consumers should contact Blue Wave to request a free repair kit.
What you get:
Free repair kit that eliminates the foothold hazard
What you must do while waiting:
Consumers should ensure that children cannot access the pool unattended or, alternatively, drain the pool until the repair can be installed.
Contact information:
Phone: 800-603-0475 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday) Email: [email protected] Website: www.bluewaveproducts.com/pages/recall
The repair kit is completely free, including shipping. You don’t pay anything.
Is There a Deadline to Get Refund or Repair Kit?
No specific deadline has been announced yet.
However, act immediately for two critical reasons:
Safety: Acting CPSC chair Peter Feldman urged parents to protect their kids from drowning in the recalled pools. “Even though swim season is over for much of the US, families should stop using these pools immediately”.
Company solvency: Product recalls can strain small companies financially. The longer you wait, the higher the risk the company runs out of money or goes out of business before processing your claim.
File your claim within 30 days of learning about the recall to protect your rights.
Who Qualifies for Refund or Repair
You qualify if:
- You purchased a recalled SereneLife or Blue Wave pool
- Your pool is 48 inches tall or taller
- Your pool model matches the recalled model numbers
- You bought the pool between December 2021 and July 2025
You qualify even if:
- You bought the pool used or secondhand
- You no longer have the receipt
- You bought it on sale or clearance
- The pool is several years old
- You already used the pool for multiple seasons
You do NOT need:
- Original receipt (helpful but not required)
- Original packaging
- Proof of purchase from retailer
The company may ask for:
- Model number (printed on pool liner)
- Serial number if available
- Where you purchased it
- Approximate purchase date
What CPSC Says About This Hazard
“Previous CPSC leadership refused to take this hazard seriously, despite clear evidence of the dangers associated with these pools and a mounting death toll on their watch. No longer. Under new leadership, CPSC is committed to addressing the number one killer of children: drowning”.
The new CPSC leadership is taking aggressive action after years of inaction despite knowing about child drowning deaths.
He urged families not to wait until swimming season to address the issue, saying, “families should stop using these pools immediately”.
No Injuries Reported Yet (For These Brands)
No injuries or incidents have been reported in connection with the Blue Wave and SereneLife recalls, according to the CPSC.
However, the same design flaw killed 9 toddlers in other brands with identical compression strap design.
The CPSC is acting proactively before more children die in Blue Wave and SereneLife pools.
What You Should Do Immediately
If you own a SereneLife pool:
- Stop using it today—drain it immediately
- Don’t wait until you “get around to it”
- Take destruction photos
- Call 888-619-6770 for refund
- Buy a safer pool with your refund money
If you own a Blue Wave pool:
- Drain the pool or ensure children cannot access it unsupervised
- Call 800-603-0475 for free repair kit
- Do not use the pool until repair is installed
- Consider fencing or additional barriers in the meantime
If you’re not sure which brand you have:
Check the pool liner—the brand name and model number are printed on the outside.
Temporary Safety Measures Until Repair
While waiting for repair kit or refund:
Drain the pool completely: Empty pools eliminate drowning risk entirely.
Physical barriers:
- Lock gates leading to pool area
- Install temporary fencing around pool perimeter
- Remove all items near pool that children could climb on
- Store ladders inside garage or shed, not near pool
Constant supervision:
- Never leave children alone near pool—even for “just a second”
- Assign a “water watcher” adult who watches kids continuously
- Don’t rely on floaties or swimming lessons—they don’t prevent drowning
Cover the pool: Use a safety cover designed to support an adult’s weight. Standard pool covers won’t stop a child.
Can You Sue for Damages?
If your child was injured or drowned using the compression strap as a foothold, you may have legal claims for:
Product liability – Design defect: The compression strap design is inherently dangerous and creates an unreasonable risk of harm to children.
Product liability – Failure to warn: Companies failed to warn consumers that removing the ladder doesn’t prevent children from entering the pool.
Wrongful death: If your child drowned, you can pursue wrongful death claims for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
Negligence: Companies knew or should have known about the drowning risk but continued selling pools with this design.
Evidence of 9 prior deaths and a 5.2 million unit recall in July 2025 shows companies had clear notice of the danger.
What Compensation You Might Recover
For deaths:
- Medical expenses before death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages (if company concealed known danger)
Typical wrongful death settlements for child drowning range from $500,000 to $5 million depending on circumstances and evidence of company knowledge.
For injuries:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Lost future earning capacity if permanent injury
For property owners:
If the drowning occurred at your rental property or home, you might face liability from the victim’s family. You could then sue the pool manufacturer for indemnification.
Statute of Limitations for Lawsuits
Wrongful death claims: 2 years from date of death in most states
Personal injury claims: 2-3 years from date of injury in most states
Product liability claims: 2-4 years depending on your state
Don’t wait. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses forget details, and you risk missing your filing deadline.
If your child was injured or drowned, contact a product liability attorney immediately.
How This Recall Compares to July 2025 Recall
The issue mirrors a July recall of more than 5.2 million pools made by Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup. At least nine toddlers drowned between 2007 and 2022 after getting into the pools by climbing on the straps.
July 2025 recall:
- 5.2 million pools
- Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup brands
- 9 documented drowning deaths
- Same compression strap foothold design
December 2025 recall (this one):
- 13,480 pools
- Blue Wave and SereneLife brands
- 0 reported deaths so far (but same dangerous design)
- Proactive recall before more children die
The industry is slowly addressing a design flaw that’s been killing children for nearly 20 years.
Warning Signs Your Pool May Be Dangerous
Even if your pool isn’t on the recall list, check for these hazards:
Compression straps or reinforcing belts: Any horizontal strap running around the outside of your pool at toddler height creates a foothold risk.
Low walls: Pools under 54 inches tall are easier for children to climb into.
Items near pool: Chairs, buckets, toys, or storage bins near the pool give children something to climb on.
No barriers: Pools without fencing or locked gates are accessible to wandering toddlers.
Ladder stays attached: Ladders left on pools when not in use provide easy access.
Safer Pool Alternatives
If you’re replacing your recalled pool, look for:
Pools without external compression straps: Some designs use internal support systems that don’t create footholds.
Taller walls (54+ inches): Higher pools are harder for toddlers to climb.
In-ground pools: When properly fenced with self-closing, self-latching gates, they’re safer than above-ground pools.
Pool alarm systems: Surface wave alarms sound when someone enters the water.
Safety covers: Covers rated to support an adult’s weight prevent accidental entry.
No pool is completely safe. Supervision is always required when children are near any body of water.
Resources for Pool Safety
Consumer Product Safety Commission Report unsafe pools: www.SaferProducts.gov CPSC Hotline: 800-638-2772
Pool Safely Campaign Website: PoolSafely.gov Free resources on preventing child drownings
Blue Wave Recall Information Phone: 800-603-0475 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bluewaveproducts.com/pages/recall
SereneLife Recall Information Phone: 888-619-6770 Email: [email protected] Website: https://serenelifehome.com/pages/recalls
For Legal Help If your child was injured or drowned, contact a product liability attorney immediately. Most offer free consultations and work on contingency (no fee unless you win).
This article provides information about a product recall announced December 18, 2025. It is not legal advice. If your child was injured or drowned in a recalled pool, consult with a qualified product liability attorney about your specific situation. Act immediately to claim your refund or repair kit.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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