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Newsweek
22-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Home Depot Products Recalled Nationwide as Fatal Warning Issued
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Above-ground pools sold at Home Depot and other retailers have been recalled due to a drowning risk, following the deaths of nine children. This is one of three products recalled by Home Depot in the past month. Newsweek contacted Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup, the three manufacturers of the affected pool models, via email on Tuesday. Why It Matters Millions of families may unknowingly own a pool that poses a serious drowning risk to their children. What To Know The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of about five million 48-inch and taller above-ground pools with compression straps made by Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup. The agency said that the compression straps running around the side can be used by children as a foothold to gain access into the pools, which can lead to drowning. CPSC said it believes that nine children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old drowned after entering the pools using the footholds between 2007 and 2022. They said that these incidents took place in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri. A range of above-ground pools have been recalled due to a drowning risk following the deaths of nine children. A range of above-ground pools have been recalled due to a drowning risk following the deaths of nine children. Alan Schein Photography / Getty The affected pools were sold at a variety of locations, including in-store at Home Depot, Walmart, Target, Sears, Lowe's, Kmart, Toys "R" Us, Sam's Club, Big Lots, Costco and BJ's. They were also sold online by Amazon, Wayfair, Bestway USA, Intex, Funsicle and Summer Waves. The recalled pool models include Bestway and Coleman models sold from 2008 to 2024, including Power Steel, Steel Pro and Coleman Power Steel. It also includes Intex models sold between 2002 and 2012, specifically the Metal Frame Pools and the Ultra Frame Pools. Also included in the recall are Intex Models, which were only sold on Intex's website and at Walmart in 2024 and 2025, namely the Prism Frame Pool and the Ultra XTR Frame Pool. The pools included in the recall are those in which the compression strap runs outside the pool legs, not those that run behind the pool legs and flat to the pool. The pool brand names and model numbers can be found printed on the pool liner on the outside of the pool. The products were manufactured in China and range in price from approximately $400 to over $1,000. Other Home Depot Recalls In the past month Home Depot has also issued recalls for two other products. On June 26, Home Depot issued a recall for Converta camping cots and stretchers over laceration and amputation hazards. Approximately 228,760 units were affected, with the Consumer Safety Protection Commission (USCSPC) warning, "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled camping cots and suspension stretchers and contact The Coleman Company for a free repair kit, including installation instructions". On June 26, Home Depot also issued a recall for Vevor wrought iron single post handrails due to an injury hazard. The recall noted that Vevor has received five reports of the handrails breaking, resulting in injuries, including one head injury. USCSPC issued a warning for the product, stating "Consumers should stop using the recalled handrails immediately and contact Vevor for a full refund What People Are Saying USCSPC said: "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." What Happens Next Customers with the recalled pools are advised to contact the manufacturer of their model to receive a free repair kit to replace the strap with a rope.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Washington's latest budget outlook shows another $845M dent in state revenue
(Alan Schein Photograph via Getty Images) Washington lawmakers have been waiting on a new set of state revenue estimates as they put the final touches on budget proposals expected next week. Those figures arrived Tuesday and further dimmed the financial outlook at a time when the state is already facing an operating budget shortfall estimated to be as much as $15 billion over the next four years. The latest forecast shows that money flowing into the state's operating budget during that time is expected to be nearly $900 million lower than projections released in November. Revenues for the remainder of this budget cycle show a modest, $54.4 million increase from the November figures. When taking this into account, revenue is down $845 million through 2029. In the next two-year budget starting July 1, the forecast shows an expected drop of $479 million, to a total under $71 billion. The 2027-2029 biennium would see a $420 million reduction based on the latest forecast, with revenue totaling $76.4 billion. Tuesday's news didn't surprise budget writers in the Legislature's Democratic majority, who continued to signal they're looking at combining tax increases with spending reductions. Senate Ways and Means Chair June Robinson, D-Everett, described the projected revenue decline as 'modest' and in line with what lawmakers expected. 'While it doesn't change the broader fiscal challenges we face, it reinforces the need for a balanced and sustainable approach as we finalize the 2025-27 operating budget,' Robinson added in a statement. Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, said 'it just makes it that much more difficult for us.' Democrats in the state House and Senate will now work to fine-tune their operating budget proposals before releasing them Monday. Ormsby, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, expects 'plenty' of work will still be needed. 'It was a challenge thus far, it will continue to be a challenge,' he said. The Senate Republicans' budget leader said after the forecast that lawmakers should 'take heed and show restraint going forward, especially with the uncertainty about actions at the federal level that could affect our situation.' 'The smart approach is to avoid new and higher taxes, limit new spending to core priorities like K-12 and public safety, preserve social services, and protect the rainy-day fund,' Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, said in a statement. Democrats have floated tapping state reserves to help address the shortfall. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, told reporters Tuesday the rainy-day fund has that name for a reason. 'It's raining,' she said, adding that 'there is nothing off the table' at this stage with the budget. Washington's chief economist, Dave Reich, explained the state's revenue collections have yet to fully 'normalize' since the pandemic. 'Slow revenue growth is still with us,' he said. He blamed a range of factors. For instance, people purchased more goods during the pandemic, boosting sales tax collections. That spending has since declined. Higher interest rates in more recent years caused people to put off major purchases, like cars. Looking ahead, Reich said as financial pressure causes the state to operate with lower budget balances, it can expect to see decreased interest earnings from its accounts. Collections from sales tax as well as business and occupation taxes are expected to drop by a combined total of more than $450 million in the next two-year budget cycle compared to the November forecast. Stronger returns on capital gains and estate taxes will offset that drop a bit. Reich also considered tariffs the Trump administration has imposed, but figuring out the exact impacts on Washington's budget is difficult. State law requires the budget, which lawmakers will look to pass next month, to be balanced over four years. Washington's nonpartisan Economic and Revenue Forecast Council issues forecasts that help guide the budgeting process for the Legislature and the governor. The state's multibillion-dollar shortfall has loomed for months. Signs of trouble emerged last June, when lagging capital gains receipts and decreased consumer spending drove a $500 million drop from projections for the current budget cycle. Since then, good news has been hard to come by. In response, Gov. Bob Ferguson has searched for cuts in state agencies. He's so far publicly identified $7 billion in savings, and vowed last month to look for more. His plan calls for a one-day-per-month furlough for state workers that has drawn staunch pushback from public sector labor unions. Ferguson has not yet voiced support for any tax increases, even as Democratic legislators have raised the possibility of new taxes on large companies and wealthy individuals. Democratic leadership in the Legislature met with the governor Monday and said they discussed the budget situation extensively. They expect to meet with him more often in the coming weeks.
