The deaths of nine toddlers have led to the recall of about 5 million above ground pools sold under three brands since 2002.

Monday’s U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice says: “The compression strap that surrounds the outside of the pool legs may create a foothold, allowing a child access to the pool, posing a drowning risk.”

That, the commission believes, is how nine children from 22 months to 3 years old drowned in Florida, California, Missouri, Texas, Michigan and Wisconsin from 2007 through 2022. The agency said it knows of three other times children used the straps to get into the pool.

These were sold at big box retailers Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Club, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, online outlets Amazon, Wayfair, Funsicle, Summer Waves and the company websites. Some were sold at dead or dying chains Sears, Kmart, and Big Lots.

Recalled pools are at least 48 inches high and were sold under the names below:

■ Bestway and Coleman models, 2008-2024: Power Steel, Steel Pro, Coleman Power Steel.

■ Intex models, 2002-2012: Metal Frame Pools, Ultra Frame Pools.

■ Intex models sold only at Intexcorp.com and Walmart, 2024-2025: Prism Frame Pool, Ultra XTR Frame Pool.

■ Polygroup models, 2006-2025: Summer Waves (2015-2025), Summer Escapes (2006-2015), Funsicle (2023-2025), Sand n Sun (2008-2011), Blue Wave (2014-2025).

Each company is offering a repair kit, essentially a rope that will attach to the support poles around the pool.

“The rope will maintain the structural integrity of the pool (a function previously served by the compression strap),” the recall notice says. “Consumers should first secure the repair and then cut and remove the compression strap from the pool.