Blue Wave Recalls Above-Ground Pools 48 Inches and Taller Due to Drowning Hazard

What was recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a significant recall affecting Blue Wave brand above-ground swimming pools. This action, announced on December 18, 2025, encompasses every Blue Wave pool that stands 48 inches tall or taller. The scope of this recall is broad because it targets the entire structural design category rather than a single defective batch. If you own a Blue Wave pool that meets this height requirement, it is subject to this safety alert, regardless of when you purchased it or which specific style you chose.

The hazard stems from a specific component known as a compression strap, sometimes referred to in manuals as a reinforcing belt. This strap wraps around the exterior of the pool’s vertical support poles. While intended to provide structural stability, this particular design creates an unintended foothold. Because the pool is 48 inches or taller, a child can use these straps to climb up and gain access to the water, even if the original ladder has been removed or stored away. This recall includes numerous model numbers across various sizes and aesthetic finishes, such as the Active Frame, Dark Cocoa Wicker, Rustic Cedar, Gray Rattan, Espresso Wicker, Navy Blue Frame, Aspen, and Laguna series. Specific models affected include NB19790, NB19791, NB19797, NB19798, NB19890, NB19891, NB19900, NB19902, NB19904, NB19905, NB19906, NB19907, NB19908, NB19909, and NB19910.

To confirm if your pool is included in this recall, you should check the original packaging box and the instruction manual that came with the unit. The Blue Wave logo printed on the outside of the pool liner also serves as a primary identifier. While the official recall notice does not specify the exact number of units sold or the specific retail stores where these pools were available, it is clear that any Blue Wave pool fitting the height description is part of this safety initiative. The CPSC emphasizes that this is a proactive measure to prevent drowning incidents, ensuring that consumers are aware of the potential risk associated with the design.

If you have purchased a Blue Wave pool within the last few years, it is highly likely that your unit falls under this recall. The company has made it easy for consumers to verify their specific model by listing the relevant UPC codes alongside each model number. This comprehensive approach ensures that no matter which style or size of Blue Wave above-ground pool you have installed in your backyard, you can take immediate steps to secure it and protect your family.

The hazard, explained

At first glance, an above-ground pool is designed to be a barrier, keeping water contained and children out of reach until supervised. However, the Blue Wave pools subject to this recall have a specific design feature that inadvertently turns that safety barrier into an entry point for young children. The issue lies in the compression strap, also known as a reinforcing belt, which wraps around the exterior of the vertical support poles. While these straps are structurally necessary to hold the pool walls taut and maintain the pool’s shape, their placement and texture create an unintended climbing aid.

The physical mechanism of this hazard is deceptively simple but dangerous. The compression strap sits on the outside of the vertical legs, typically at a height that is easily reachable by small children. Because these straps are often made of durable, textured material to withstand tension and weather, they provide excellent grip for tiny hands and feet. For a toddler or young child who is still developing their coordination and strength, this strap acts as a reliable foothold. They can hook their toes under the strap, pull themselves up, and gain enough height to reach the top rim of the pool wall.

What makes this particularly insidious is that removing the pool ladder does not solve the problem. Many parents assume that if the ladder is gone, a child cannot get in. However, with these specific models, a determined child can use the compression straps on the outside of the frame to climb up and over the side wall. Once they are over the rim, they fall into the water. Because young children may not know how to swim, or may panic upon sudden immersion, this leads to a high risk of drowning. This is especially true for children under five years old, who are statistically at the highest risk for pool-related drownings due to their size, curiosity, and lack of awareness of danger.

The CPSC has highlighted that this is not just a theoretical risk. The design allows access even when other safety measures, like removing the ladder, are in place. This underscores why the physical alteration of the pool structure through the free repair kit is necessary. The remedy aims to remove or modify these footholds so that the exterior of the pool remains smooth and unclimbable for small children. Until that repair is made, the pool effectively has a hidden ladder built into its frame, accessible to any child who can reach the support poles.

It is important to understand that drowning is often silent and fast. It does not always look like the splashing seen in movies; it can happen in just seconds without a sound. This is why eliminating any possible way for a child to enter the pool area unsupervised is critical. The compression strap hazard removes one of the primary layers of defense—physical access control—and replaces it with an obstacle that young children can overcome. Recognizing this specific mechanical flaw is the first step in protecting your family, as general pool safety advice alone may not address this particular entry point.

While no incidents have been reported to the CPSC for these specific models as of the recall date, the potential for tragedy is severe enough to warrant immediate action. The hazard exists regardless of whether the pool is currently filled with water or empty, as a child could climb in and fall into the dry liner or shallow water at the bottom. Therefore, the risk is present from the moment the pool is set up until it is properly drained or repaired.

Who is most at risk

The primary group at immediate and severe risk from this Blue Wave recall is very young children, specifically those under the age of five. This demographic is disproportionately vulnerable to drowning incidents in residential pools for several physiological and behavioral reasons. Toddlers and preschoolers are naturally curious and mobile but lack the cognitive development to recognize danger or understand that water is life-threatening. They may view the pool as a play area rather than a hazard, especially if they have seen older siblings or parents enter it without incident.

The specific design flaw in these recalled pools creates a unique trap for this age group. The compression straps, which serve to reinforce the vertical support poles, inadvertently function as a ladder. For an adult, these straps are likely too small or positioned incorrectly to provide meaningful purchase. However, for a small child with nimble fingers and feet, the strap provides a critical foothold. This is particularly dangerous because the recall notice explicitly states that children can gain access even if the pool’s entry ladder has been removed or stored away. A parent might mistakenly believe the pool is secure because there is no obvious way to climb in, but the structural design itself bridges the gap between the ground and the pool edge.

Once a child reaches the top of the pool wall, they can easily pull themselves over the side. Above-ground pools are often located in backyards where fences or other barriers may not be present, or where parents might assume the height of the pool provides sufficient protection. The depth of these pools—ranging from 48 to 52 inches—is more than enough to submerge a toddler completely. Drowning can occur silently and quickly, often in less than two minutes, which is why constant, touch supervision is the only reliable defense against this specific risk.

While the primary concern is young children, other household members may also be indirectly at risk if they are responsible for supervising them. Parents, guardians, and babysitters who own these Blue Wave pools must be aware that their current setup does not meet safe access standards. The risk extends to any child who lives in or frequently visits a home with one of the listed models, including relatives during summer gatherings. Elderly individuals managing care for young grandchildren may also be at heightened risk if they are unfamiliar with the specific hazard posed by the compression straps, as this is not a commonly known defect. Therefore, the entire household unit shares the responsibility for immediate mitigation until the free repair kit arrives.

It is important to note that while no incidents have been reported to the CPSC yet, the potential for tragedy exists in every home with these pools. The absence of reported injuries does not mean the risk is low; it means that fortunate circumstances have prevented harm so far. Any child who can walk or crawl into the yard where one of these pools is installed is considered at risk until the pool is drained or the repair kit is professionally installed to eliminate the foothold.

How to tell if you have the recalled item

If you own a Blue Wave above-ground pool and want to know whether it is part of this specific safety recall, the first thing to check is the height of the pool. This recall applies strictly to all Blue Wave brand pools that are 48 inches tall or taller. If your pool is shorter than 48 inches, it is not included in this notice. To confirm the model, you should look for two key identifiers: the original packaging and the pool liner itself. On the box where the pool was originally delivered, you will find a label with the model number and UPC code. You can also check the instruction manual that came with the pool, as it lists the same details.

The most reliable way to identify your pool is by looking at the outside of the pool liner. The Blue Wave logo is printed directly on the liner on the exterior side. If you see this logo and the pool is 48 inches or taller in height, it is potentially subject to this recall. Below is a complete list of the specific models included in this notice, along with their corresponding UPC codes for easy verification:

• Model NB19790: Blue Wave 15-Ft Rd 48-In Active Frame Pool (UPC: 672875005895)
• Model NB19791: Blue Wave 18-Ft Rd 52-In Active Frame Pool (UPC: 672875005925)
• Model NB19797: Blue Wave 18-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool (UPC: 672875006106)
• Model NB19798: Blue Wave 24-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool (UPC: 672875006137)
• Model NB19890: Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 15-Ft Round 48-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875004874)
• Model NB19891: Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875004881)
• Model NB19900: Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Gray Rattan Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009565)
• Model NB19902: Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Espresso Wicker Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009589)
• Model NB19904: Blue Wave 15-Ft Round 48-In Navy Blue Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009916)
• Model NB19905: Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Navy Blue Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009923)
• Model NB19906: Blue Wave 15-Ft Round 48-In Aspen Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009930)
• Model NB19907: Blue Wave Mocha Wicker 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover (UPC: 672875009954)
• Model NB19908: Blue Wave Mocha Wicker 24-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover (UPC: 672875009961)
• Model NB19909: Blue Wave Laguna 15-Ft Round 48-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover (UPC: 672875009978)
• Model NB19910: Blue Wave Laguna 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package W/Cover (UPC: 672875009985)

Even if you no longer have the original box or manual, you can still identify your pool by looking at its physical features. The recalled pools contain a compression strap, also known as a reinforcing belt, which wraps around the outside of the vertical support poles. This strap is designed to hold the frame together but may create a foothold for children. If your pool matches any of the models listed above and has this external strap system, it is affected by this recall. For further confirmation, you can visit www.bluewaveproducts.com and click on "Product Recalls" at the top of the page.

What to do — step by step

Your refund, repair, or replacement options

If you own one of the affected Blue Wave above-ground pools, the good news is that there is a clear, cost-free path to resolving this safety issue. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has worked with Blue Wave to establish a remedy that focuses on fixing the specific design flaw rather than requiring you to discard the entire pool. You do not need to pay for any part of this process. Blue Wave is providing a free repair kit to all consumers who contact them regarding this recall. This approach is designed to be convenient and affordable, ensuring that families can secure their pools without facing unexpected expenses or the hassle of finding a new product immediately.

To get your free repair kit, you will need to reach out to Blue Wave directly through one of several accessible channels. You can call their toll-free number at (800) 603-0475. When you call, please note that customer service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. If you prefer written communication or need to send documentation, you can email them at recall@bluewaveproducts.com. For those who like to manage these things online, Blue Wave has dedicated resources on their website. You can visit www.bluewaveproducts.com/pages/recall for specific details, or navigate to the main homepage and click on "Product Recalls" located at the top of the page. These digital options are helpful if you want to review instructions before making a call.

While you wait for your repair kit to arrive and while you install it, there is an important interim safety step you must take. The recall notice explicitly advises that you should either ensure children cannot access the pool unattended or drain the pool entirely until the repair can be installed. This is a critical temporary measure because the hazard—the compression strap acting as a foothold—remains present as long as the pool is filled and assembled. Draining the pool removes the immediate drowning risk associated with water depth, giving you time to work on the permanent fix safely. It is not recommended to leave the pool full and unsecured while waiting for the kit.

You might wonder if a refund or replacement pool is an option. The provided recall facts specify that the remedy is a free repair kit. There is no mention in the official record of automatic refunds, store credits, or direct replacements with new units. Therefore, your primary option is to accept and install the repair kit. If you have questions about whether the kit will work for your specific model or if you are considering selling or donating the pool before fixing it, you must contact Blue Wave directly using the methods listed above. Do not assume that other retail return policies apply; this is a specific government-regulated safety recall with its own dedicated fulfillment process managed by the manufacturer.

It is also worth noting that no incidents or injuries have been reported to date related to this hazard. This suggests that while the risk is real and serious, it may not be an immediate emergency for every household. However, because drowning can happen quickly and silently, especially with young children who can use the strap as a step even if the ladder is removed, taking action promptly is still the right choice. By contacting Blue Wave and following their instructions, you are taking a proactive step to protect your family while keeping your pool usable in the long run.

What can happen if you ignore it

It is completely understandable to feel frustrated when a product recall disrupts your summer plans. You may have spent hours assembling the pool, filling it with water, and preparing for family gatherings. The immediate temptation is often to wait until the repair kit arrives before doing anything else, assuming that the risk is minimal or that you can simply keep an eye on things. However, ignoring a recall notice for a drowning hazard is not just a matter of inconvenience; it is a decision that carries profound and irreversible consequences. The Blue Wave recall highlights a specific design flaw: the compression strap that wraps around the exterior support poles. While this strap serves a structural purpose for the pool’s integrity, in this context, it inadvertently creates a foothold. This is not a subtle defect that only a child with exceptional climbing skills could exploit; it is a physical feature that can be used by toddlers and young children who are already developing their motor skills.

The primary danger here is access. Even if you remove the pool ladder, which is the most obvious point of entry, a determined child can use the compression strap to pull themselves up over the side of the pool wall. Once inside, an above-ground pool that is 48 inches or taller presents a significant drowning risk. Drowning is often silent and rapid. It does not always involve splashing or waving for help; it can happen in less than two minutes. Young children can slip underwater before a caregiver even realizes they are missing from sight. This is why the CPSC has issued this recall: the potential for tragedy is too high to leave unaddressed, regardless of whether any incidents have been reported so far. The absence of reported injuries to date is fortunate, but it does not eliminate the risk; it simply means that, by luck or vigilance, no harm has occurred yet.

If you continue to use the pool without installing the free repair kit, you are essentially leaving a dangerous gap in your home’s safety barriers. You might believe that you can supervise children closely enough to prevent them from climbing the straps, but supervision is not a fail-safe solution against accidents. A moment of distraction, a phone call, or a sudden noise can break your focus, and in that split second, a child could gain access to the water. The psychological toll on a family after a drowning incident is devastating, affecting not just the immediate grief but also long-term mental health and trust in safety measures. By ignoring this recall, you are gambling with that peace of mind.

Furthermore, relying on "draining the pool" as a permanent solution is impractical and may lead to complacency. If you drain the pool, you might be tempted to leave it empty for weeks or months, during which time debris, insects, or standing water could collect in the frame, creating other hazards or damaging the equipment. More importantly, if you fail to install the repair kit after draining, the moment you refill it, the hazard returns immediately. The only true remedy is the installation of the free repair kit provided by Blue Wave. This kit is designed specifically to eliminate the foothold created by the compression strap, thereby closing the access point that makes the pool dangerous for young children. Until that physical modification is made, the pool remains an unsecured body of water with a built-in ladder for those who cannot yet swim or judge their own safety.

Ultimately, ignoring this recall means accepting that your child has a potential way into deep water without a barrier. It shifts the burden of safety entirely onto constant, vigilant supervision rather than removing the hazard altogether. In the realm of child safety, relying on vigilance alone is widely considered insufficient when a physical solution exists. The repair kit is free, easy to install, and provided specifically to address this exact risk. Choosing not to use it is a choice to keep a known, preventable danger in your home. The consequences of that choice could be a life-altering accident, a broken family, and the heavy burden of guilt that comes with knowing you had the means to prevent it but did not act.

Staying safe: broader tips

Owning an above-ground pool is a wonderful way to enjoy the summer, but it requires a proactive approach to safety that goes beyond simply fixing a specific hardware issue. While this recall addresses a particular design flaw with compression straps on Blue Wave pools, the broader principle applies to all water features in your home: barriers and access control are your first line of defense against accidental drowning. Drowning is often silent and rapid, occurring in less than a minute, which makes physical prevention far more reliable than supervision alone. Even if you remove the ladder, as mentioned in the remedy for this recall, determined toddlers can still find footholds on pool frames, fencing, or nearby furniture to climb in. Therefore, relying on a single layer of protection is rarely sufficient.

Consider implementing a multi-layered safety strategy known as "defense in depth." First, ensure that any pool you own meets current local code requirements for four-sided isolation fencing. This fence should completely separate the pool from the house and yard, with self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward, away from the water. The latch should be placed high enough that a small child cannot reach it. Second, invest in a safety cover or alarm system. A motorized safety cover that meets ASTM standards can support the weight of an adult and child, preventing access entirely when the pool is not in use. Alternatively, surface wave alarms or submersible alarms can alert you immediately if someone enters the water unexpectedly. These devices do not replace supervision, but they provide a critical second warning.

Equally important is the environment surrounding your pool. Many accidental entries happen because children use nearby objects as climbing aids. Keep toys away from the pool fence when not in use, so they do not entice children to climb toward the water. Trim vegetation that might provide a handhold on the outside of any fencing. If you have deck furniture or storage boxes near the pool, ensure they cannot be easily moved to create a step up to the pool’s edge or ladder. Regularly inspect your pool structure for wear and tear; loose panels, broken latches, or corroded frame components can compromise the integrity of your safety barriers over time.

Finally, stay informed about product safety through official channels. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and PoolSafely.gov offer free resources on barrier requirements, supervision best practices, and emergency preparedness. Subscribe to recall alerts for major household items, not just pools, as hazards can appear in any consumer good. Knowledge is your most powerful tool; understanding the specific risks of your equipment and the general principles of water safety allows you to create a secure environment where family memories can be made without fear.