Pool Maintenance Keeps Your Family Safe

When one thinks of pool safety, pool maintenance isn’t often the first thing to come to mind. Sure, most people agree that water safety is an ongoing concern. This includes cities, which sponsor events to promote pool safety and tips for keeping the kids safe with locks, barriers, and supervision. While these are all critical, proper pool maintenance can also help keep you, your family, and your pool safe.

Summer is still lingering. The warm temperatures, the long daylight hours, and the additional debris and contaminants from rain make this a busy time of year for pool maintenance. Pool and spa owners have to be ever-diligent to keep their pool clean. Here are some pool maintenance elements which are worth a pool owner’s concern:

Chemicals

Maintenance of a swimming pool requires the use of chemicals, some of them extremely hazardous. Improper exposure to these chemicals can result in long term health injuries to a child or an adult.

Your pool uses a veritable arsenal of chemicals, many of which can produce toxic gas or even fire with improper mixing or usage. Never mix chemicals, and always read the instructions on how to safely use these if you are adding chemicals yourself. Keep them in tightly closed containers, out of the reach of children and pets.

Electrical system

Since a pool’s filtration and pump system are electrical, all of the components need to be wired correctly and adequately insulated to prevent an accident. Outlets should always be GFCI type. Also, no one should ever be allowed to use an electrical device in the pool, most notably a cell phone charger.

Main drain suction and vacuum ports

The drain cover must be Pool Safety Act compliant. Also, vacuum ports in your skimmer or the wall of your pool should have a safety latch cover. These are incredibly easy to install.

Debris

Bad weather often leaves some surprises in our pool. Often, we will find branches, furniture, or even building materials at the bottom of the pool following a storm.

Also, small animals such as rabbits or rodent can sometimes find their way into the pool or skimmer basket. If this happens, don’t allow anyone to go swimming. Safe removal includes the use of disposable gloves. According to the CDC, the animal should be completely wrapped, bagged in a trash bag and disposed of in the dumpster immediately.

After the removal, the pool should be cycled, back washed and treated, and the net or other tools used in the withdrawal should be thoroughly disinfected.

Keeping your pool clean will promote the safety of you and your family’s health.

Flawless Image Pool Service is a veteran-owned and operated residential pool maintenance team for Hillsborough County. Our Certified Pool Operators provide top-notch pool maintenance, 20 years of experience and reliable service. Call 813-536-3941 today!