Massive Pool Recall Linked To 9 Kids' Deaths; Listeria Fears; Check Dorm Fridges And SUVs

In one of the largest safety recalls in history, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled millions of backyard pools linked to the drownings of nine children just as Americans are seeking relief from an extreme heat dome over much of the country.

Also this week, the agency announced the recall of more than 600,000 compact Frigidaire refrigerators after fires and overheating caused an estimated $700,000 in property damage; ice cream and tuna salad are the subject of recalls over listeria concerns; and automakers have recalled thousands of popular SUVs.

Sources for this report are the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recall Of Millions Of Pools Linked To 9 Deaths

Nine children are believed to have died after climbing into above-ground pools, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a notice of a massive recall of more than 5 million pools sold nationwide since 2002.

The agency said children can easily get into the pool by climbing the exterior compression straps and vertical support legs of 48-inch and taller swimming pools made by Bestway, Intex and Polygroup.

The nine children who fatally drowned were between the ages of 22 months and 3 years. The incidents occurred in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri between 2007 and 2022.

Consumers should immediately contact Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup to receive a free repair kit consisting of a rope that attaches to each of the vertical support poles at the ground level and wraps around the pool. The rope will maintain the structural integrity of the pool (a function previously served by the compression strap). Consumers should first secure the repair and then cut and remove the compression strap from the pool.

The pools were sold since 2002 at stores nationwide, including Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe’s, Kmart, Toys “R” Us, Sam’s Club. The Home Depot, Big Lots, Costco and BJ’s, among others, as well as online by Amazon, Wayfair, Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle and Summer Waves for between $400 and around $1,000, depending on the size, model and the additional accessories purchased. »More information.

$700K In Property Damage In Minifridge Fires

If you bought a Frigidaire-brand Minifridge for a dorm room, it may pose a fire hazard, according to a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice.

The manufacturer, Curtis International, is recalling 634,000 of the compact refrigerators because the internal electrical components can short-circuit and ignite the surrounding plastic housing.

The company said it had received reports 26 reports of fridges smoking, sparking, burning, and overheating. The incidents have caused $700,000 in damage, and two people reported smoke inhalation injuries.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Minifridges and should follow the instructions to receive a refund at this link. Consumers should unplug the unit and cut the power cord, then write “recall” using a permanent marker on the front of the unit, then dispose of them in accordance with local and state regulations.

The recall is limited to models EFMIS129, EFMIS137, EFMIS149 and EFMIS175, which were sold in a variety of colors, including black, blue, green, white, yellow, red, pink and silver. Only specific serial numbers, found on the CPSC website, are affected. » More information.

Ice Cream Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat 10 brands of ice cream bars sold in 23 states because they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria.

The affected ice cream bars, made by Florida-based Rich Ice Cream, are marked on the package with lot codes 24351 through 25156. Specific products are:

• Chocolate Crunch Cake Bars
• Strawberry Shortcake Bars
• Rich Bars
• Crumbled Cookie Bars
• Orange Cream Bars
• Fudge Frenzy Bars
• Cotton Candy Twirl Bars
• Savagely Sour Blue Raspberry Bars
• Savagely Sour Cherry Bars
• Cool Watermelon Bars

The ice cream bars were sold in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The recall, initiated by the company on June 27, was classified by the FDA as a “Class II” recall on July 17. According to the agency, a Class II recall is “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Listeria monocytogenes, as the bacteria is officially known, can cause a foodborne illness called listeriosis. While healthy adults may not experience symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, listeriosis can be severe and even life-threatening for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

Neither the company nor the FDA offered specific guidance to consumers about should do with the ice cream bars if they have them in their freezers, or if refunds will be made available.

Consumers can get more information by contacting Rich’s at 561-833-7585, or via Rich’s website. The FDA can be reached at 1-888-463-6332. » More information.

Tuna Salad Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns

Multiple ready-to-eat tuna salad products sold in seven states have been recalled due to concerns they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Two voluntary recalls have been initiated due to the possible contamination of the bread crumbs used in the tuna salad products. The supplier, Reser’s Fine Foods, initiated both recalled.

Jewel Osco stores in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa voluntarily recalling various prepackaged tuna salad sandwiches and other items. » More information.

Albertsons Companies, Randalls, Tom Thumb stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas issued a similar recall of tuna salad products supplied by Reser’s Fine Foods. » More information.

Cracked Fuel Injector May Cause Fire

Ford is recalling 694,271 model year 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and model year 2020-2022 Escape vehicles because a fuel injector may crack, leak fuel inside the engine compartment and potentially start a fire.

The vehicles are equipped with 1.5-liter GTDI engines that were introduced in 2020 and discontinued in 2024, according to a notice by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ford has been looking at the problem with fuel injectors since 2022, the agency. Recalls were issued for software updates in November 2022, March 2024 and March 2025. An ongoing investigation by the automaker identified corrosion as a contributing factor to fuel injector cracks between April and May of this year.

The fuel injector had cracked on eight vehicles that experienced under-the-hood fires, and six of them didn’t have the updated engine control software, according to Ford’s investigation. The automaker isn’t aware of any injuries.

Ford is still determining a final remedy, but its field review committee decided to issue the recall to update the engine control software on the affected Broncos and Escapes. At the same time, a tube will be installed for additional robustness to allow fuel to drain from the cylinder head drain hole, away from surfaces that may initiate combustion.

Owners should expect a letter notifying them of the risk around Aug. 18, and a second letter will be sent when the final remedy is available.

Vehicle owners can call Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 25S76. » More information.

Popular Jeeps Recalled Over Headrest Issue

Chrysler’s parent company Stellantis is recalling 121,300 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles because of an issue with internal locking mechanisms on head restraints that may prevent them from locking upright, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The issue places occupants of the vehicle at risk in the event of a crash, the agency said.

The recall includes 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L models. Owners should take their vehicles to a dealership, where the headrests will be inspected and repaired as needed, free of charge.

The automaker plans to notify owners in September, but in the meantime, they can contact Chrysler’s customer service at 800-853-1403 or the NHTSA’s safety hotline at 888-327-4236. » More information.