Feds eye mandatory kid-proof ladders for backyard pools everywhere
Published Date: 4/10/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering a new rule to make above-ground and portable pool ladders child-resistant. This change aims to protect kids under 5, especially toddlers, from drowning accidents. Comments on this idea are open until June 9, 2025, and the rule could impact manufacturers by requiring safer ladder designs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory Child‑Resistant Pool Ladders
A petition asks the CPSC to require child‑resistant ladders for all above‑ground and portable pool ladders to reduce drowning deaths of children younger than 5 years, particularly those aged 1 to 3. The request covers ladders sold with or for use with above‑ground pools (side height at least 36 inches) and portable pools, and asks the Commission to consider issuing a mandatory regulation to that effect.
New Design and Verification Requirements for Manufacturers
The petitioner asks the CPSC to require an objective, measurable definition of “child‑resistant” for pool ladders because the current voluntary ASTM F2666‑16 standard allows verification to be satisfied by document review. The proposed change could require manufacturers to redesign ladders and adopt objective testing or verification methods rather than relying on document review, which the petitioner identifies as the current practice in section 5.1 of ASTM F2666‑16.
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