Swimming is a popular activity for both children and adults. Swimming is regarded as an important health-related activity for children by many schools, camps, parks, clubs, and other recreational facilities. There are bound to be child swimmers in various apartments and houses that have a pool. In most cases, a child is not accompanied by his or her parent while swimming. As a result, authorities must exercise caution and employ specific techniques to ensure the safety of children while swimming.
Every swimming pool or other body of water with a depth of 300mm or greater should have safety equipment in and around it. This applies to spas located in private residential properties or elsewhere. When it comes to swimming, children of all ages are at risk. A person must be fully aware of a pool’s potentially hazardous properties. Here are some precautions to take:
- Water survival training:
This is one of the most important steps in a child’s swimming safety. Every child should be taught how to save himself/herself in the pool as part of the swimming process. - Having a secure pool fence:
A swimming pool should have a pool fence that is at least 1.2 m high and strong. A self-latching, self-closing, or child-resistant gate should be installed on the pool fence. Avoid placing objects such as pots, chairs, toys, and other items that toddlers could use to climb or get out of the pool. - Swimming pool alarm:
One must ensure that their swimming pool has an alarm installed, as drowning can occur in an instant. An alarm can be installed inside the pool or worn by the child along with the swimsuit. - Supervision:
Swimming supervision is one of the most important aspects. Never leave your child unattended. Swimming with a child requires constant glancing. If you need to leave the pool, bring your child with you. When your child is in the pool, make sure you are nearby so that your child can reach you in an emergency. Keeping a constant eye on small children while inside a paddling pool is the best option for your child’s safety. Once your child has finished playing, immediately empty the paddling pools. Avoid storing water in large containers as well. - Safety objects:
Check to see if your child is properly fitting in the floatation devices or if they have slipped through them. Before using the water mats, lifesaver rings, inflatable vests, water wings, and other items, make sure they are fully functional.
Rescue equipment:
It is a good idea to keep a variety of rescue equipment around the pool. Rescue devices can help prevent disasters at any time. A long pole with a hook on the end of a shepherd’s hook can be kept near the pool.
Cloudy swimming pool water can be very frustrating if you appear to be doing everything correctly but the pool just isn’t cooperating!
There are several possible causes for this, and the following are some of the checks you can perform on your swimming pool if the water is cloudy.
What are the possible causes of blue-cloudy swimming pool water?
Here is a checklist for each of the possible scenarios listed above:
Poor water circulation
Check the mechanical condition of your swimming pool filter and pump system.
Check that the sand in your filter is clean. Run the pump and filter 24 hours a day until the water clears up (10 to 12 hours in the summer and 6 to 8 hours in the winter).
To expedite the clarification process, use a water clarifier.
High pH
- Adjust pH to 7.4-7.6.
- If you use sanitizers that raise the pH, such as calcium hypochlorite, for routine chlorination, check the pH on a regular basis and use acid to lower it.
Total Alkalinity too high
- Reduces to the correct level by using more acid than when adjusting the pH.
- Check Total Alkalinity again the following day.
Bacteria in Water
- Remove bactaria from the pool by shocking dosing it with 3 cups of granular chlorine per 50,000 liters. Keep an eye on the pH because this could cause the chlorine to become ineffective.
Summer means a lot of time spent at the pool, it is another excuse for lavish pool parties and swimming sessions! Swimming is another get way to get a full body workout and rejuvenate the mind. Swimming in public pools, on the other hand, can be damaging to hair and skin, causing flaky and itchy skin. The pH level of the water in some pools is not even checked once during the day. These tips will assist you to protect your skin and hair from chlorine water.
Here are a few guidelines to avoid swimming-related skin and hair damage:
- Use a swim-proof body lotion
Apply a swim body lotion before going swimming. Many people dislike using a body lotion before entering a pool, but it will help create a protective barrier around the skin, neutralizing chlorine absorption in the skin.
- Apply some oil to your skin
Apply some oil before going to the pool, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or baby oil, to create a barrier between the chlorine water and your skin.
- Take a shower before going swimming
Take a shower before you go swimming because dry skin absorbs chlorinated water quickly. This water will penetrate deeper layers, causing more damage. A quick shower will keep your skin from absorbing too much-chlorinated water. After swimming, take a quick shower to prevent the chlorinated water from drying out your skin.
- Make friends with Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that shields the skin from UV rays. Topical Vitamin C can aid in the reduction of sun tan by inhibiting tyrosinase, a melanin-producing enzyme in the skin.
- Maintain hydration
Dehydrated skin will feel dry and rough. Hydrated skin, on the other hand, remains supple. While swimming, sip some water to keep your skin hydrated. This also aids in skin purification by replenishing lost moisture and flushing out chlorine or other toxins.
- Always use sunscreen
Sunscreen will not only protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays while swimming, but it will also form a protective layer and keep pool water from coming into direct contact with your skin.
- Use a rough towel to prevent friction
After showering, avoid rubbing the skin with a towel because friction can damage the skin’s moisture barrier and rubbing can irritate the skin.
- Apply lip balm
Long periods of time spent in chlorine-treated water can contribute to cracked lips. Wear lip balm after you get out of the pool to keep your lips from drying out and bleeding.
Swimming pool water must be checked and balanced weekly
- pH levels: maintain between 7.2 – 7.6 in plastered pools and between 7.0 – 7.2 in fibreglass pools
- Total Alkalinity (TA) levels: maintain between 80ppm – 120ppm for plastered pools and between 120ppm – 150ppm for fibreglass pools
- Chlorine levels: maintain between 1.5ppm – 3.0ppm during the summer season and 1.0ppm – 1.5ppm during the winter season.
4 easy steps to making pool care simple:
- Remove all leaves and debris from the pump and weir baskets weekly
- Brush down the pool wals and floors weekly
- Back wash every week to maintain filter efficiency
- Run filter 12 hours per day in summer and 6-8 hours per day in winter
- Swimming pool water has a tinge of green
> Indicate incorrect pH and TA and presence of metals
> Test water using AQUACHECK YELLOW TEST STRIPS
> Add AFRICHEM METAL REMOVER
> Correct pH using AFRICHEM ALKALINITY or AFRICHEM ACID - Swimming pool water is green
> Indicate severe algae infestation or phosphates
> Test water using AQUACHECK YELLOW TEST STRIPS
> Correct pH and TA levels
> Add AFRICHEM ALGAECIDE/EXTRA STRENGTH
> Shock treat using AFRICHEM GRANULAR CHLORINE or use AFRICHEM FLOC-IT and then AFRICHEM ALGAECIDE - Green Walls
> Indicate a minor algae infestation
> Treat as above or use AFRICHEM OXIDISE or AFRICHEM ALGAECIDE/EXTRA STRENGTH
- Black or Green algae
> Black or green growth on the pool wals or a black fuzz along the pool surface
> Use AFRICHEM ALGAECIDE/EXTRA STRENGTH
- Cloudy or milky water
> Indicates incorrect pH or TA levels
> Test pool water using AQUACHECK YELLOW TEST STRIPS
> Adjust levels using AFRICHEM HYDROCHLORIC ACID, AFRICHEM pH INCREASE or AFRICHEM ALKALINITY BOOST
> Add one AFRICHEM WONDER CUDE or AFRICHEM CLEAR & BLUE to weir basket, backwash regularly after use
Small brown or rusty stains
> Brown stains may be caused by leaves or metal objects such as nails or hair clips
> General stains indicate a presence of metal in the water
> For fresh stains, use AFRICHEM METAL REMOVER and vigorously scrub the surface with a nylon pool brush
> Light staining can be bleached with AFRICHEM OXIDISE