Clean and safe swimming

Safe handling of pool chemicals can save a trip to the ER

This article was published on 05.22.14

It’s getting hot, and you know what that means: pool party! But not so fast. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report indicates that an alarming number of emergency-room visits are linked to swimming pool chemicals. Of 5,000 cases in 2012, the majority were poisoning due to inhalation of chemicals. Avoid an ER visit with these basic safety rules:

• Read the product label (the whole thing) before use.

• Keep young children away while handling chemicals.

• Use appropriate safety equipment such as goggles, gloves and a face mask or respirator.

• Never mix pool chemicals with each other or with other substances.