Keep your backyard pool safe this summer - prevent pool chemical injuries

Swimming and splashing are fun ways to cool off and get active. Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) encourages backyard pool owners to protect swimmers by handling pool chemicals safely.

“Pool chemicals, like chlorine, protect swimmers’ health. However, mishandling pool chemicals can cause serious injuries,” says Mark Adams, MPH, REHS, health commissioner at LCPH. “According to the CDC, pool chemical injuries lead to about 4,500 U.S. emergency department visits each year, and over one-third of these preventable injuries are in children or teens.”

To prevent pool chemical injuries, follow these steps:

• Keep chemicals secure and away from children and pets.

• Read and follow all directions on product labels.

• Wear safety equipment such as masks, gloves, and goggles when handling chemicals.
  
  

Prevent violent, potentially explosive, reactions by never mixing different pool chemicals with each other, particularly chlorine products and acid. Pre-dissolve pool chemicals only when directed by product label and add pool chemical to water, never water to pool chemical.

LCPH inspects and licenses all public swimming pools. These inspections help protect the public from injury, keep diseases from spreading and make sure people can swim in a safe and healthy environment. View pool inspection reports at LorainCountyHealth.com/pools.