It’s a thought that may have crossed your mind more than a few times as you go through your regular pool cleaning and maintenance routine – how safe are these pool chemicals really?
After all, if the packaging has warnings about the chemicals being dangerous if ingested or handled, how can I be sure that it is safe for me and my family?
Maintaining the right balance
Maintaining a good chemical balance in your pool is vital for keeping your pool healthy. Adding too much chlorine could be harmful or cause swimmers to experience sensitivity while swimming – but not having enough chlorine in your pool will lead to growth of dangerous bacteria.
Ultimately, neither extreme is a condition you want to have to deal with in your pool. That’s why regular maintenance to keep a steady balance if the best way to ensure excellent swimming conditions. If you find that you don’t have the time to keep up with regular maintenance, it’s better to hire a local swimming pool contractor to come and help with service, rather than potentially swimming in unsafe water.
Don’t swim after shocking the pool
If you add a large amount of chlorine to your pool in order to shock it, wait until the chlorine levels drop before swimming again. If anyone gets into the pool before the level returns to the ideal range, they will experience a burning feeling in the eyes and on their skin.
Safe Storage & Handling
One thing that is for sure is that pool chemicals can be toxic if swallowed. For this reason, you should make sure to store your chemicals far from the reach of curious children or pets, preferably in a locked storage area. You will also need to carefully dispose of any extra or unused chemicals in a safe way.
Likewise, you should wear safe clothing and take extra precautions when handling pool chemicals. Wearing long sleeves and gloves will keep chemicals from spilling onto your skin and irritating your skin. Many types of chemicals can be quite intense, even after you dilute it with water, so always read the instructions or consult with a swimming pool expert in order to get the safe measurements and advice.
