Glossary
Above-ground pool
A pool that sits on top of the ground. It still needs a four-sided fence; removing the ladder may not be enough.
An above-ground pool sits on the ground rather than being dug in. Many families assume its high walls keep children out, but that is not reliable. The AAP (opens in a new tab) says fences are needed for all pools, including above-ground pools. Above-ground pools were involved in 19% of pool and spa drowning deaths of children under 5 in 2021-2023 (CPSC (opens in a new tab)).
Removing the ladder may not be enough. In 2025, CPSC (opens in a new tab) announced a recall of about 5 million above-ground pools 48 inches and taller whose outside compression straps can give a child a foothold into the pool; it reported nine child deaths, including cases where ladders had been removed.
Steps that help:
- a four-sided fence with a self-latching gate;
- secure, lock or remove steps, ladders, furniture and toys when no adult is actively watching, as the Red Cross (opens in a new tab) advises;
- check whether your pool is part of a recall.
See above-ground pool safety and the Have an above-ground pool? Fence it. infographic.
What you can do today: walk around your pool and remove anything a child could climb.