400,000 Pool Toys Recalled For Failing Federal Safety Rules

(KMDL-FM) When you think about swimming pool toys, your next thoughts usually don't transition to thinking of things that could impale you, do they? Well, if you're a pool owner or have kids who love to play and swim in a pool, then there is a Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall that you need to be aware of.

How Can a Pool Toy Pose an Impalement Danger?

The recall is on a product called Dive Sticks. If you're not familiar, they are plastic sinky-floaty things that kids throw into the swimming pool. The sticks sink; the kids then dive underwater and retrieve them. It's a great way for kids to learn diving techniques, proper breath control, and underwater safety in general.

CPSC.gov Submitted Photo

The problem comes from physics, and since neither you nor I studied that subject to this extent, here is how physics plays a part in a popular pool toy recall. The Sloosh Brand Dive Sticks- those are the ones that are subject to the recall- violate the federal dive stick ban because they exceed the compression limit.

Here's How Kids Could Get Injured Using the Recalled Pool Toys

Here is why there are so many restrictions on dive sticks. First, a dive stick with part of it touching the bottom of the pool may not float at more than a 45-degree angle. The angle of the pool toy compared to the surface of the pool is important.

CPSC.gov Submitted Photo

The stick must also have a compressive force of less than 5 lbf; lbf is an abbreviation for pound-force, if you didn't know. In other words, the weight of a diving child should be more than enough force to collapse the toy.

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The reason for these restrictions? The 45-degree angle means a kid can't jump into the pool and stab themselves with the dive stick, and because of the reduced pound-force rating, if they did, the toy would collapse under the weight of the kid.

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The CPSC says if you have these pool toys, stop using them. If you visit the CPSC.gov website, you can find out refund details. More than 400,000 of these dive sticks are subject to recall. Please check around your pool and make sure you're not putting your kids or your guests in danger.