Just about every home in Parkland and Heron Bay has a pool. We have several highly reliable pool service professionals in our area but between cleanings and servicing, homeowners should keep their pool as safe as possible.
Every year a considerable amount of people end up in the emergency room due to pool chemical-related injuries. Mostly, pool chemical injuries are due to the improper handling of chlorine. Since chlorine is so commonly and widely used, it can get overlooked as a dangerous chemical. In the case of swimming pool maintenance, when chlorine is added improperly to water it creates a gas that is harmful and can lead to sickness, lung damage, and in severe cases, it can cause death.
To avoid injuries caused by swimming pool chemicals it is best to know how to properly handle them. Follow these safety tips for handling pool chemicals to keep you and everyone using the pool safely.
How to Maintain Pool Chemical Safety
- Read the directions very carefully when handling any pool chemicals, especially if it is your first time using them. If you have not used a chemical in a considerable amount of time give yourself a refresher course and read the directions again.
- Follow the directions exactly. This is the number one reason people get hurt using pool chemicals.
- Personal Protective Equipment such as goggles, gloves, and masks are a smart way to keep yourself safe while using pool chemicals, especially chlorine. When opening pool chemical containers, make sure to open them outside to let the gases trapped in the container out into the open and well-circulated air. Also, open the container away from your body to limit the inhalation of any gases.
- Always measure any chemical being added to your pool in the exact amount needed. Larger amounts of chemicals in the pool than needed can lead to the injury of swimmers in the water.
- When handling chlorine in the swimming pool, always add the chlorine to the water. DO NOT ADD WATER TO CHLORINE, this will cause the chlorine to “heat up” and can create chlorine gas that is very dangerous to inhale.
- If you are using granular chlorine (shock), you will need to dilute it before adding it to the pool. The best method for diluting granular chlorine is to use a bucket. You will want to ensure the bucket you use is very clean before putting the chlorine in. The best way to clean the bucket is to thoroughly rinse any residue out of the bucket and then set it in the sun to dry. When the bucket is clean you can begin diluting by filling the bucket half full of clean water and adding in the pre-measured chlorine. Once the chlorine is diluted the best way to add it to the pool is to slowly pour it over a wall return in the deep end.
- Unless there are special directions to do so, never add chemicals directly to the swimming pool skimmers.
Mostly, pool chemical injuries are due to the improper handling of chlorine. Since chlorine is so commonly and widely used, it can get overlooked as a dangerous chemical. In the case of swimming pool maintenance, when chlorine is added improperly to water it creates a gas that is harmful and can lead to sickness, lung damage, and in severe cases, it can cause death.
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Many chemicals need to be used at different times to keep pool water balanced and healthy to swim in. Knowing how to properly handle them is vitally important for your safety and the health and longevity of your pool.
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