4 Million Baby Pool Floats Recalled

About 4 million Aqua Leisure inflatable baby floats are recalled because the straps in the seat portion of the float can tear, allowing a child to fall into the water. These floats came in many different styles, and were sold in many discount and department stores, including Toys R Us, Target, Dollar General and Wal-Mart. They were sold from Dec. 2002 through June 2009. Recalled floats have a date code between 08/02 and 07/08 molded onto the valve. Floats with "NP" molded onto the valve are not recalled. The list of styles and model numbers is extensive, so if you have a pool float for your baby, take a look at CPSC's Aqua Leisure Inflatable Baby Float recall page to see photos and check to see if you have one of the recalled pool floats.

No injuries have been reported due to the straps tearing on these floats, though 31 incidents of tearing have been reported. This is likely because parents have been vigilant about staying close to baby while using the pool floats. A recall like this highlights the danger of allowing an inflatable pool float of any kind to give you a false sense of security when your baby or toddler is in the water. Always assume that the float could deflate or that the straps could tear, and stay close enough that you can reach your baby if the float does malfunction.