One of the main components to owning a swimming pool is the chemicals that need to be added. Almost daily, the chemicals need to be checked and monitored, and sometimes you need to add more. It is important to be sure that you are following the instructions when it comes to handling chemicals. Improper handling can lead to all kinds of bad side effects. Chlorine is a particularly potent chemical that requires care when handling. Here are some safety rules to help you out.
- Don’t breathe in the fumes. Be sure to open the container facing away from you and wear a safety mask if needed.
- Do not eat the chlorine. This one seems like a no brainer, but it also means do not put your hands in or near your mouth after handling the chemical. Chlorine can cause chemical burns, even on the inside.
- Do not touch the chlorine with your bare hands. Always use protective gloves so that you don’t leave any residue on your hands and can avoid number 2.
- Do not mix chlorine with other chemicals. It may seem like it will save you time to dump all the chemicals that your pool needs into one container and then add it to the water, but chlorine can react very badly to other chemicals. Add it to the water first, and alone.
- Do not mix different types of chlorine. Stick with one brand name and one concentration of chlorine. Mixing types and concentrations is a recipe for disaster.
- Store chlorine away from children and pets. Keep it in a high spot and in a sealed container. Pets and children can act fast, and you won’t want them knocking over the canister or trying to open it.
- Store chlorine alone and away from other chemicals that are flammable. If chemicals happen to spill on the outside of the bottle while you are using them, and then you put them back in the same storage area together, there is a chance that the residues of the two chemicals can combine, starting a fire or other chemical reaction. Keep things safe by storing chemicals separately.
- Keep chlorine in the original container. There is a reason that chlorine comes in the container that it does. Do not try to replace the container or pour the leftover chlorine into another container. It is put in a specific type of plastic that the chlorine can’t eat through, and with a certain amount of space for oxygen so as not to cause problems.
- Follow all the instructions on the canister. Before handling the chlorine, be sure to read all the dilutions and the instructions as laid out by the manufacturer.
- If you accidentally come in contact with chlorine, call Poison Control or go directly to the emergency room.
If you are looking to renovate your pool away from a chlorine system, or if you current system needs an overhaul, give us a call today. We would be happy to help you figure out the best plan for you pool system and get you back to loving your space. We have lots of options available and the knowledgeable team to help you get it done.
