Storing Pool Chemicals Safely

• Always keep swimming pool chemicals out of the reach of children and pets. Keep all pool chemicals in nonreactive containers. Most chemicals come in plastic containers with lids or caps that close tightly. Keep them tightly closed when not in use. Make sure all the containers have the contents clearly marked, and don't switch containers. For example, don't put muriatic acid in an empty chlorine container. Store all containers in a protected area out of sunlight. The sun not only deteriorates the chemicals, it can also weaken the containers. Try to keep all chemicals separated. Store different types on different shelves or in separate areas of a room.
  
  Almost all pool chemicals give off fumes, and if left open or only loosely closed, especially in a pump room, locker or closet, the fumes can build up to create caustic gases that can corrode metal fixtures and damage your skin, eyes and lungs. Keep moisture away from dry chemicals, particularly dry chlorine granules and tablets. Fumes from wet Trichlor and Dichlor are particularly dangerous.
  
  

Handling Pool Chemicals Safely

• Chemical burns are one of the most common accidents with pool chemicals because people assume that because they swim in water that contains the chemicals, the chemicals themselves must be harmless. No pool chemicals are safe when handled carelessly. Liquid pool chlorine is almost three times stronger than household bleach, and it will quickly eat through your clothing and can burn your skin. Muriatic acid will also burn skin quickly. Granular and tablet chlorine are also highly reactive. Just a small amount of dry chlorine "dust" on your skin can itch and burn for hours. It's best to use rubber gloves when handling any pool chemical.
  
  Clean up spills immediately. The most dangerous situation can occur if you have an old chemical spill on the floor and then spill another pool or household chemical on top of it. Don't try to hose away dry chlorine spills. Sweep them up. Adding water creates more fumes.
  
  When you open any chemical container, hold it away from your face to avoid getting a whiff of the fumes up your nose or in your eyes. If you have an unmarked container, never sniff it to determine what's in it. Pour a little into a glass or cup to check it out.
  
  

Using Pool Chemicals Safely in Your Pool

• Never mix any pool chemicals together. Chlorine and muriatic acid form a deadly gas when mixed together even in tiny amounts. If your pool needs both chlorine and acid to restore the chemical balance, add one of the two, then wait at least an hour before adding the other. If you pour liquid chemicals directly into the pool, hold the container close to the water surface to avoid splashing the chemicals onto the deck and onto your clothes and skin. In most cases, your pool pump should be running whenever you add chemicals so that the pool circulation can help mix and distribute the chemicals with the water.
  
  Don't add chlorine tablets directly to the pool. They are designed to be used in automatic chlorinators and can etch or discolor any pool surface they lay on. If you are broadcasting granular chlorine into the pool, spread it out as evenly as possible and watch the wind direction. Having the granules or dust blowing back at you can be a serious hazard.
  
  If you use diatomaceous earth (DE) in your pool filter, mix the amount you need in a 5-gallon bucket to form a slurry before adding to the skimmer. Although it is chemically neutral, breathing in the dust can be extremely harmful to your lungs.