Safety in the Swimming Pool: The Hazards of Swimming Pool Chemicals

Safety in the Swimming Pool: The Hazards of Swimming Pool Chemicals
Adam Simpson
9/17/2014
Updated:
4/23/2016

The swimming pool is one of the most fun areas of the home, particularly in the warmer months. However, without due care and consideration, it can also be one of the most dangerous.

One of the most hazardous aspects of swimming pool maintenance is the chemical treatments that your pool requires. Of course, without these chemicals, your swimming pool would swiftly become an unhygienic breeding ground for bacteria. As a result, it’s important to use chemicals to keep your pool clean; and it’s also important to know how to use them properly.

With the right precautions in place, there’s absolutely no reason at all why you and your family can’t enjoy trouble-free fun in your pool.

Safety in the Swimming Pool: Staying Safe with Chemicals

  • Know what you’re working with. It’s important to understand your chemicals before using them. Read all instructions carefully; or better still, hire an expert swimming pool maintenance company to take on the responsibility for you. Know what each chemical does, but perhaps more importantly, know what action to take, should you or one of your family accidentally come into contact with it. We recommend calling pool service professionals, like Bay Area Pool Service in Tampa Bay, Florida, for help.

  • Keep the area child-free during treatment. While you have the swimming pool maintenance crew at your house, it’s vitally important that you keep all children and pets away from the area. If you’re doing the treatment yourself, wear protective gloves and goggles to protect your face, in case of splash-back. It’s also a good idea to wear a face-mask, as inhalation of the chemicals can cause respiratory problems.

  • Avoid using the pool after chemical treatment. After your pool has been treated, it’s important not to get straight into the water until the recommended period of time has elapsed. If you jump back in too quickly, you run the risk of your skin becoming irritated by the chemicals, and in severe cases, this can result in chemical burns. Your swimming pool maintenance team will be able to advise you on how long you should wait before taking a dip again.

  • Safe storage. If you’re storing chemicals at home, you need to ensure that they are kept up high and out of the reach of your children, preferably in a locked container. It’s also important to make sure they are stored in a dry location, as water can cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

  • Keep family informed. If the worst should happen, and an emergency occurs, it’s important that your family knows what to do. Make sure that emergency details are kept somewhere prominent in an easy-to-access location, and keep your family well educated on the harmful effects of chemicals, if used improperly.

Keeping Safe in Your Swimming Pool: Call in the Experts

To ensure that you and your loved ones are kept safe, the best course of action by far is to hire a regular swimming pool maintenance service. Leaving the chemical treatment of your pool to the experts ensures that your family aren’t exposed to any health risks as a result, giving you valuable peace of mind to enjoy your pool to the max.