July 7, 2026 — Consumers are urged to exercise caution regarding certain Coleman-branded Bestway swimming pools after an incident report detailed two separate pool failures involving tears at manufacturer seams, including a recent event on June 11, 2026, that released water “like a tsunami” and posed a serious injury risk to children.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The consumer reported purchasing two Bestway swimming pools within the last three years, both of which experienced catastrophic failure due to tears at the manufacturer seams. The first pool was simply replaced after it tore, but the recurrence of the issue on June 11, 2026, prompted the consumer to report the incident. When the second pool tore, it unleashed a large volume of water with force, described by the consumer as “like a tsunami.” At the time of the incident, three children were in the pool and “could have been seriously injured” by the sudden, powerful rush of water.
The consumer contacted the manufacturer on June 11, the day the incident occurred, and reportedly spoke with a representative who acknowledged awareness of the problem and stated that efforts were underway “to make the wall stronger.” Despite this alleged awareness, the consumer questioned why the pools have not been recalled and expressed frustration over a short six-month warranty given the known defect. A follow-up call on June 12 resulted in the incident being escalated.
Safety Concerns
The reported incidents highlight several significant safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The sudden and forceful release of water, as described by the consumer as “like a tsunami,” presents an immediate risk of injury. Children or adults in or near the pool could be swept off their feet, hit by collapsing pool walls, or struck by objects carried by the rushing water. This could lead to drowning, impact injuries, abrasions, concussions, or broken bones. The rapid loss of water can also create a suction hazard or trap individuals against the deflating pool walls.
- Long-Term Risks: Beyond physical injuries, experiencing such a sudden and chaotic event could cause significant psychological trauma, especially for children present during the incident.
- Who Might Be Affected: Children, adults, and pets in or around the pool area are at direct risk. Neighbors or bystanders in the immediate vicinity could also be affected by flooding or debris.
- Property Damage Potential: A sudden release of a large volume of water can cause extensive property damage. This includes damage to landscaping, gardens, outdoor furniture, decks, patios, and potentially even the foundations or interiors of nearby homes, basements, or garages, leading to costly repairs and potential mold growth.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own Coleman-branded Bestway swimming pools, particularly model #256002002146 or similar models, should take the following steps:
- Inspect Your Pool: Regularly and thoroughly inspect your pool, paying close attention to seams, connection points, and the integrity of the wall material for any signs of wear, stretching, weakening, or small tears.
- Report Concerns: If you observe any signs of stress, damage, or potential seam failure, immediately drain the pool and cease use.
- Verify Product Information: Check your pool’s model number and serial number, typically found on a label on the pool wall or packaging, to determine if it matches the affected products. The serial number reported in this incident was #0012245245 and the product number was #256002002146.
- Contact the Retailer and Manufacturer: If you own a potentially affected product, contact Walmart and BESTWAY (HONG KONG) INTERNATIONAL LTD. to report your concerns and inquire about potential solutions, replacements, or refunds.
- Report to Regulators: File a detailed incident report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. This helps the CPSC gather data to identify trends and initiate potential recalls or safety alerts.
Manufacturer’s Response
No manufacturer response has been provided in the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.