Safety Tips
Chemical Safety
Always read the product label and follow directions carefully. If chemicals are used improperly, it can become a potentially hazardous situation. Always secure liquids while transporting them in your car so they will not tip. Never allow chemicals to stay in the car for a long period of time. Make the pool store your last stop and remove them from your car as soon as you get home. Always wear protective equipment - safety glasses, rubber gloves, etc. as directed on the product’s label. Never allow children to handle, measure or dispense chemicals. Always keep containers out of reach of children and replace lids securely on containers promptly after removing the product.
Always open product containers in a well-ventilated area. Never inhale fumes or allow products to get in your eyes, nose or mouth. When opening a product, turn your face to one side or point the container away from you. In the event of accidental contact or if the product is swallowed, follow emergency advice on the product label and call your doctor or local poison control center.
The Number for the Poison Control Center Is
1-800-222-1222
Storage of Pool and Spa Care Products
Always keep your water maintenance products in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Always keep all pool care products tightly sealed in their original container. Large open containers often collect water and present a potential for drowning in areas where children play. If standing water is present, action must be taken to provide a dry location for any pool or spa chemicals. Avoid storing in areas that are subject to rain, excessive moisture, freezing temperatures or direct sunlight. It is a rule to keep your pool or spa care products away from other household or garden chemicals. Petroleum products, such as fertilizers, motor oil, grease or paint if mixed, can release hazardous gasses, cause fire or even an explosion. Always separate dry products from liquid products. They may leak and contaminate other products, which can cause hazardous gasses, fire or explosion. Never store pool care and garden chemical products near calcium hypochlorite based products. To determine if the product contains calcium hypochlorite, read the active ingredients list on the front of the product label. It is recommended to use lawn furniture, walls, plastic buckets, shovels, rakes, lumber, other items or empty space as a buffer zone between products when separating your pool care products.
Winterization and Seasonal Care
In areas where freezing temperatures occur, it is important to close a pool properly. This ranges greatly between above and below ground pools. By taking steps to properly secure your pool it lessens the likelihood that your pool will be damaged or compromised by freezing water.
In preparation for freezing temperatures and in-ground swimming pools, pipes must be blown out. An above-ground pool should also be closed so that ice does not drag down the pool wall collapsing its structure. The plumbing is sealed with air, typically, with rubber plugs, to prevent cracking from freezing water. The pool is typically covered to prevent leaves and other debris from falling in. The cover is attached to the pool, typically using a cable and ratchet system. The skimmer is closed off or a floating device is placed into it to prevent it from completely freezing and cracking. Drain plugs on the pool filter are removed after the filter has been cleaned. The pool pump motor is taken under cover and winter chemicals are added to keep the pool clean.
Safety Tips
The U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission makes these suggestions for making your pool or spa safe for children. Fences and walls should be at least four feet high and completely installed around the pool. Also, gates should be self-closing and latching with the latch out of a small child’s reach. Furniture should also be kept away from the fenced areas to prevent climbing into the pool area. If your house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, then all doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened. Look for alarms that meet the requirements of the ASTM standard. It is recommended that remote alarm receivers are used so that the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other areas away from the pool area.
A power safety cover can be used when the pool is not in use. Keep rescue equipment by the pool and be sure a phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted. It is also advisable that knowing CPR is important. Never leave pool toys and floats in the pool area as it may attract young children to the water. For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should secured, locked or removed when the pool is not in use. If a child is missing always look in the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
To prevent body entrapment and hair entanglement, have Tri City Pool & Spa inspect the drain suction fittings and covers on your pool and spa to be sure that they are the proper size, that they are properly attached and that they meet current safety standards. If your pool or spa has a single drain outlet, consider installing a safety vac release system that breaks the vacuum to avoid potential entrapment conditions.
If you have any questions or need any care tips please call us at 616-850-3911