SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Millions of backyard pools are being recalled Monday after it was discovered that a strap that wraps around a particular style of above-ground pool has been used as a step for young children to get into an otherwise too tall pool.

The compression strap that runs around 48-inch and taller above-ground pools is meant to keep the walls of the pool from bowing outward, but the US Consumer Product Safety Commission says the strap has been giving small children a foothold to climb up into the pool.

"The USCPSC and Bestway (Hong Kong) International Ltd. (China) and Bestway (USA) Inc. (Chandler, Arizona) (Bestway), Intex Recreation Corp. (Long Beach, California) and Polygroup North America Inc. (El Paso, Texas) are announcing the recall of about five million 48-inch and taller above-ground pools that use compression straps," the recall announcement states.

"These straps wrap around the pool on the outside of the supporting poles, and may create a foothold, allowing a child to access the pool and drown. Children can still gain access to the pools using these footholds even if the ladder is removed."

Officials believe nine children between the ages of 22 months and three years old have drowned after gaining access to the pools by climbing the compression strap.

The incidents occurred in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri between 2007 and 2022.

"The USCPSC is also aware of three other incidents in 2011 and 2012 where children who gained access to the recalled pools were reported to have previously used the compression strap to gain entry to the pool," the recall states.

Anyone with one of the recalled pools should immediately contact Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup to receive a free repair kit consisting of a rope that attaches to each of the vertical support poles at the ground level and wraps around the pool.

The company says the rope will maintain the structural integrity of the pool (a function previously served by the compression strap) and that owners should first secure the repair and then cut and remove the compression strap from the pool.