Pool Chemical Safety

Jul 03, 2024

All pools, spas, hot tubs, and maintained bodies of water need chemicals to keep them clean, healthy, and enjoyable. A majority of people do not know how to properly use or store the chemicals safely. In this blog, I will be going over how to prevent injuries and illnesses when dealing with these types of chemicals. Keep on reading to learn how to keep yourself and others safe!

Storage

Unintentional mixing of pool chemicals may lead to unexpected chemical reactions and fire risk. There is the added danger of the release of toxic fumes as well. To prevent this, there are ways to properly store your pool chemicals.

Here are some tips to follow:

Always read the product labels and follow the instructions carefully. Most manufacturers will have instructions on how to properly store the chemicals.
The storage room should be well-ventilated to prevent buildup of hazardous gases.
Dry chemicals must stay dry. Getting the chemicals wet even in the rain can result in a chemical gas release.
Keep bags or containers of chemicals off the floor.
Keep up with routine inspections to control container damage.
Store all chemicals in a cool area away from sunlight and heat. Many chemicals can degrade when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun making this become unstable.
Keep space between liquid and dry chemicals. It is best to keep liquids below the dry or in a separate area in the room from the dry.
Store chemicals in the original, manufacturer’s container.
Properly secure the storage room to keep children, animals, and people who do not know how to handle the chemicals away.

Handling

Storing chemicals safely is a great start. Reduce your risk further by following some basic tips on how to handle chemicals.

Here are some rules to follow when handling chemicals:

Never mix! This is one of the most important rules to follow. Mixing pool chemicals is tremendously dangerous. Some mixtures create deadly gases, others can result in explosions or fires.
Always read the manufacturer's instructions.
Never use chemicals if there is no label or if the label is ripped. If you have a chemical with improper labeling, it is best to properly dispose of them.
Open one chemical container at a time and keep the container closed when not in use.
If a chemical needs to be diluted, do it safely by adding the chemical to water. This reduces the risk of splashback and the potential for poor reactions.
Make sure everything is properly measured.
Keep your chemicals tightly covered when not in use.

Safety Tips

Now you know how to store and handle the pool chemicals safely. Now you should know some safety tips to keep yourself and everyone around you safe.

Here are some beneficial tips to keep in mind:

Always wear safety equipment when handling chemicals including gloves, goggles, long sleeves, and pants.
Isolate spilled chemicals and read and follow directions for cleanup and disposal.
Thoroughly clean and dry product containers prior to disposal.
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling chemicals.
Never smoke, grill, or allow any open flame near stored chemicals.
Immediately clean up and properly dispose of any chemical spills.
Promptly wash off any chemical residue on the skin.
Use only a water-filled fire extinguisher on a chlorinated product chemical fire.
Never handle chemicals you are not sure how to use. Contact your local pool professional for help.

Pool chemical safety is vital. Without the proper knowledge, chemical spills, inadvertent mixing, splashback, and fumes increase risk exposure can happen. To prevent all those things from happening, it is best to follow all of the safety tips. If you have any questions or are uncomfortable dealing with anything please contact your local pool professional to come out and help you. If you are looking for a specific type of chemical, cleaner, or product please give us a call at 602-854-9058 or send us an email at support@epoolsupply.com.

Check out the YouTube video our pool professional has made going over chlorine tabs!