3 Things to Be Aware While Interacting with Pool Chemicals

Things To Be Aware while swimming

As the summer continues on, the days are getting warmer and everyone is trying to find a way to enjoy the sun while it lasts. It is a treat to spend the day by the pool – either public or private. But having a pool requires minor maintenance before the start of the season as well as periodically throughout. Before you clean your pool, we have three things to watch out for while you and your family are preparing to enjoy a splash-filled day.

The first to be mindful of is contact with chemicals – this is especially important for your eyes. It is highly recommended that you should wear eye protection, such as goggles while handling chemicals as well as when swimming after chemicals have been added. There is a recommended waiting time of 2-4 hours to avoid this contact with chemicals while swimming. Some would even suggest giving it a day before entering the pool for the chemicals to balance out.

The next thing to be most cautious of is your respiratory system. It is recommended while dealing with chemicals to be sure not to inhale them directly as this can damage your internal organs. Common chemicals are chlorine and bromine; these can both be found in solid or liquid forms. Bromine is irritative to the throat if inhaled and can be corrosive to human skin in its liquid form.

Our third preventable injury is to the skin. This can be avoided by the use of proper protective gear. Always wear gloves while dealing with pool chemicals and be sure not to cause any splashes in order to protect your exposed arms and legs. Most important of all, be aware of your surroundings.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

These three injuries are easily preventable by practicing pool safety and following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol. Many reports with chemical-related injuries were of children exposed in private homes. There were also many work-related injuries of people who work at public facilities.

Our advice to avoid these injuries is to always store chemicals properly, avoid splashing while putting chemicals in the water, and to be knowledgeable about which chemicals you are using.

If you or someone you love was injured by improper chemical usage, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Your first consultation is always free.