Keeping kids healthy is difficult enough with all the germs they encounter daily. It is important to ensure that your pool isn’t an additional breeding ground for germs.
Maintaining proper swimming pool hygiene and adopting healthy habits is crucial to ensure that your pool remains a safe and refreshing escape for your family this summer.
Health Risks Associated with an Unhygienic Pool
It is crucial to be aware of the possible health risks lurking in a pool that is poorly maintained. Pathogens can make their way into your swimming pool and might be introduced to the water in numerous ways.
In case you were not convinced about the importance of keeping your pool clean and hygienic, consider the following possible health risks:
Gastrointestinal Infections:
Swimming in water contaminated with faecal matter, bacteria, or parasites can lead to gastrointestinal infections. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.
Skin Infections:
Exposure to dirty or contaminated water can increase the risk of skin infections. Bacterial infections, such as cellulitis or impetigo, and fungal infections, like athlete’s foot, can develop when bacteria or fungi in the water come into contact with cuts, abrasions, or compromised skin.
Respiratory Infections:
Inhaling water mist or droplets from contaminated swimming pools, especially indoor ones with poor ventilation, can lead to respiratory issues. This can include symptoms like coughing, wheezing, sore throat, or exacerbation of pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma.
Ear Infections:
Prolonged exposure to contaminated water can increase the likelihood of ear infections, commonly known as swimmer’s ear. Symptoms include ear pain, itching, drainage, and hearing loss.
Eye Infections:
Irritants or pathogens in the water, such as chlorine byproducts or microorganisms, can cause eye irritation and infections. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a common issue among swimmers, leading to redness, itching, and discharge from the eyes.
Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs):
RWIs are illnesses caused by germs found in recreational water. These illnesses can range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to more severe conditions.
Vector-Borne Diseases:
In areas with stagnant or poorly maintained water bodies, swimming can increase the risk of exposure to disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes.
Top Ten Tips to Keep Your Pool Hygienic
Swimming pools are a great source of entertainment and exercise for families, especially during the hot summer months. However, it’s important to remember that swimming pools can also be a source of danger if proper safety measures are not taken.
In this regard, here are 10 ways you can ensure the safety of your loved ones while using and enjoying your swimming pool:
Regularly Maintain Pool Water Chemistry: Properly balance the pool water chemistry by regularly testing and adjusting pH levels, chlorine or other disinfectant levels, and alkalinity. This helps ensure that the pool water remains effective at killing bacteria and viruses.
Filtration and Circulation: Maintain an efficient filtration and circulation system for the pool. The circulation system helps distribute pool chemicals evenly, while the filter removes debris and contaminants from the water.
Shock Treatment: Consider shock-treating the pool water occasionally, especially after heavy use or during hot weather. This involves adding a higher dose of chlorine or other pool sanitisers to kill any residual bacteria or algae.
Clean Pool Surfaces: Routinely clean the pool surfaces, including the walls and floor, to remove algae, bacteria, and other debris. Regular brushing and vacuuming can help prevent the buildup of contaminants.
Check and Maintain Pool Drains and Equipment: Ensure that pool drains and equipment are properly maintained and in good working condition to prevent accidents and entrapment hazards.
Encourage Showering After Swimming: Encourage swimmers to shower after leaving the pool to remove any residual pool chemicals or contaminants from their skin. This can help prevent skin and eye irritation.
Avoid Swimming when ill or with an open wound: Do not enter the pool if you have recently suffered from gastrointestinal problems, to avoid spreading any illness to others. Do not swim if you have an open wound or are feeling unwell, as you could spread germs to others.
Don’t use the swimming pool as a bathroom: Always exit the pool to use the restroom, and avoid any accidents in the water. Make sure children take frequent restroom breaks to reduce the risk of accidents in the pool.
Avoid Swallowing Pool Water: Keep it out of your mouth completely to prevent any harmful bacteria from entering your body.
Schedule Professional Inspections: Periodically have your pool inspected by a professional pool maintenance service to identify and address any issues related to water quality, safety, and hygiene.
Adopting these healthy hygiene habits can help make your pool a happier and healthier place to be during the hot summer months. For more tips, check out our article on How to Make Your Pool Ready for Summer.
Work with SA Pools
We have a vast amount of experience in designing and constructing swimming pools of all shapes and sizes. Our long and celebrated history of exceptional service is a source of pride for us. We specialise in designing and installing concrete pools, beach-style swimming pools, and pre-moulded pools, among other services. Our standard pools come equipped with all the necessary design, structural, and equipment features required to create the world-class solutions we are renowned for.
Our team delivers top-quality products at competitive prices while strictly adhering to the most stringent building codes and pioneering stricter pool safety standards. This is how we add value to our clients’ lives and properties.
At our company, we prioritise delivering only the highest quality service. Our team is readily available to address any inquiries you may have and to share our extensive knowledge and experience in the swimming pool industry. If you are interested in learning more about our services, please do not hesitate to contact us today.