CPSC and ASTM International Announce Stronger Safety Standard for Above-Ground Pool Ladders

New Child-Resistance Requirements Advance CPSC's Drowning Prevention Priorities

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced, alongside ASTM International, a strengthened voluntary safety standard for above-ground portable pools that establishes specific performance requirements and test methods for child-resistant ladders. The revised standard addresses a significant safety gap that can allow young children to gain unsupervised access to backyard pools.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one through four in the United States. According to CPSC's latest annual report, an average of 376 children under age 15 died annually in pool- or spa-related drownings from 2021 through 2023. Nearly 80 percent were younger than five.

Preventing childhood drowning has become one of CPSC's highest priorities. Over the past year, the Commission has intensified its efforts to address dangerous pool designs, unsafe access points, entrapment hazards, and other risks that contribute to preventable drowning deaths.

In July 2025, CPSC secured the recall of approximately five million above-ground swimming pools following multiple reported child drowning deaths associated with a design flaw that allowed children to climb into pools even after the ladder was removed. The Commission has also strengthened federal safety requirements for infant neck floats and pursued additional measures to address pool and spa hazards.

In June 2026, the Commission granted a petition concerning child-resistant pool ladders, citing 128 reported fatal drowning incidents involving children under five between 2020 and 2025 in which ladders were reported or believed to have been used to enter above-ground or portable pools. The Commission worked with standards organizations, industry and safety advocates to develop objective performance requirements and stronger warnings.

Later that month, Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman convened a National Roundtable on Reversing Childhood Drowning, bringing together safety advocates, researchers, industry representatives, and standards developers to identify practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce childhood drowning. The roundtable emphasized stronger safety standards, safer product designs, and coordinated action to prevent these tragedies.

"Last year, we recalled five million dangerous pools. Earlier this year, we joined with industry and standards organizations to strengthen safety requirements for child-resistant ladders. Today's announcement demonstrates what we can accomplish by working together to prevent these tragedies before they occur," said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. "We are determined to make measurable progress in reversing childhood drowning trends."

Working collaboratively with industry and standards experts, CPSC helped establish, for the first time, specific performance requirements and test methods for child-resistant pool ladders, drawing on incident data and research concerning young children's physical dimensions and climbing abilities.

CPSC urges manufacturers, importers and retailers of portable pools to ensure their products conform to the revised standard. The Commission also reminds families that child-resistant ladders are only one layer of protection. Adult supervision, barriers, secured pool access, swimming skills, and CPR training remain essential to preventing drowning. Visit PoolSafely.gov for more drowning prevention tips.