Kathrine Frich
Summer usually days bring endless hours of backyard splashing and underwater games.
Parents usually worry about sunscreen and swimming skills when the kids jump in. But right now, a hidden danger might be sitting at the bottom of the pool.
Hidden pool dangers
Federal authorities just issued a massive recall for a popular backyard accessory that thousands of families already own.
According to PEOPLE the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that over 250,000 Sloosh dive sticks pose a serious risk to children. The agency officially flagged a severe impalement hazard.
These specific plastic items violate strict federal safety limits for flexibility. If a child accidentally falls on an upright stick in shallow water, it could cause deep “piercing injuries.”
Regulators also noted that kids could hurt their faces or eyes while diving down to grab them. Luckily, no injuries have been reported yet, according to the CPSC.
Checking the toy box
The affected dive sticks came inside a much larger 30-piece Sloosh water toy set.
Families bought these brightly colored kits online for about $17 to $22. They were widely available on massive retail platforms like Amazon, Target Plus, and Wayfair.
Shoppers also picked them up through Temu and SHEIN. The sales window stretched all the way from February 2019 to October 2025, according to the official recall notice.
Joyin is the company that imported the products into the country. They noted that the recall specifically targets model 40041 packages sold before October 23, 2025.
Getting a replacement
The importer is currently working with federal officials to resolve the problem. The company released a clear statement explaining the voluntary action.
“At Joyin, safety is our highest priority, and we work diligently to earn the trust of parents and caregivers every day,” the company announced.
Parents need to stop using the recalled dive sticks immediately. Officials urge everyone to keep them away from children and throw them in the trash.
To get a safe replacement, simply take a photo of the discarded toys and email it directly to Joyin. The rest of the water toy set remains perfectly safe to use, PEOPLE reported.
Sources: PEOPLE, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Joyin
