November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
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Steps to Ensure A Safe, Fun-filled Pool Season
August 2010
by Carole Hicks, Arch Chemicals, Customer Care Center
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Swimming pool maintenance is essential to fully enjoying your pool. This maintenance includes keeping the water safe and sanitized, as well as maintaining the environment around the pool. Weekly maintenance includes balancing water chemistry, cleaning ,shocking, and oxidizing the pool with your choice of Arch Chemicals Water Treatment products such as BAQUACIL® POOLIFE® or POOL Breeze®.
In addition to the product maintenance routine, there are other aspects that need to be checked on a weekly basis to make sure that everyone enjoys your pool in a safe, injury-free environment.
Storage and handling of products
Always refer to the label directions regarding storage and handling of your pool care products. Note that liquids should never be stored over solids, and all products need to be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. It is important that moisture is not able to get to the swimming pool products.
Always keep chlorinated products at least four (4) feet away from “incompatible” materials. Such incompatible materials include: fertilizers, oil, gasoline, household cleaning products, beverages, citronella candles, pesticides, detergents, liquid acids, greases, kerosene, paint products, and other corrosives.
If there is a question about storage/handling or a situation where incompatible products come in contact with another, call the Arch Chemicals Emergency Action Network (ACEAN) at 1-800-654-6911, for assistance or technical information.
Other safeguards
For the most part pool products are developed to be used in large bodies of water. There are few exceptions like filter cleaners and surface cleaners. But other than the exceptions mentioned they are not meant to be pre-dissolved in buckets or other smaller containers and then added to the pool. This can cause a serious chemical reaction, and possible exposure through inhalation or skin contact, causing injury or irritation to the one being exposed.
Always follow the label directions and add product directly to the pool or follow the product label directions for other pool products designed to be used outside of the pool like filter cleaners.
Keep children and animals away from the pool when performing your routine maintenance. Pool care products should be kept out of reach or contact with children and animals.
Wear protective equipment when dosing the pool, such as goggles to prevent splash back, gloves/long-sleeves to prevent accidental skin exposure, and use proper measuring devices that are clean and designated only for the product that you are using.
And be sure to add pool care products, “one-at-a time” to your pool.
Inspect your pool equipment on a weekly basis too.
Check your manufacturer’s directions and ensure that your pump/filter is working properly so that the pool care products will be adequately dispersed throughout your water.
Keep all accessories, pool toys and furniture cleaned and free of algae, mold and dirt.
Inspect ladders, rails, life-preservers, umbrellas, and other safety equipment on a weekly basis to make sure all are secure and in proper working order.
Remember to inspect those nooks and crannies where wasps and spiders love to make a home. As well, keep plenty of sunscreen on-hand, and always advise family and friends who are using your pool of safe practices to make sure no one gets hurt. Stings, insect bites, sunburn, or injuries from horseplay can turn a fun day at the pool into a bad summer experience in an instant.
