Here are some pool safety reminders to help prevent accidents

• Adult supervision is a key element in getting the maximum, safest enjoyment from your pool. Never let children under the age of 14 swim unsupervised in a pool. Constant, vigilant supervision of infants and children is paramount at all times.
• One individual must assume primary responsibility for supervising the pool and consistently enforcing pool rules.
• Set pool rules and stick by them. Don’t allow running around the pool, which can easily cause slips to occur. Insist on safe diving and proper use of diving boards, slides and other water toys.
• Pool rules should be clearly communicated and understood by all persons – young or old – who use your pool.
• Never swim alone or allow others to do so.
• Be sure access to your pool area meets or exceeds local codes to keep children and uninvited guests from using your pool unsupervised.

• Always find out whether or not guests can swim. Supervise guests who can’t swim the way you would a child.
• If you’re uncomfortable with someone’s swimming abilities, make sure they stay in the shallow water area and watch them closely.
• Pay special attention to educating young children and non-swimmers about important safety precautions.

• Strongly consider having at least one family member trained in basic CPR.
• Keep a wireless telephone near, but not too close, to the pool.
• Keep these basic safety items by the pool at all times: 
  – Shepherd’s crook or long-handled hook
  – Life preserver
  – First aid kit including written instructions on how to administer CPR

• Plan ahead to prevent accidents and injuries, and make your entertaining truly enjoyable.
• Keep electrical appliances a significant distance from the pool. Don’t use extension cords. Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on any appliance or electrical device that is used poolside.
• Games that may appear safe sometimes are not. Encourage and supervise the use of good pool games and toys. Prohibit horseplay, especially throwing or pushing someone into the pool.
• You have the bottom line responsibility in poolside entertaining. Use good judgment to help protect yourself, your family and guests. If in doubt, prohibit use of the pool by persons whose condition you doubt. Remember, you are in charge of your pool.

If an emergency occurs involving Swimming pool and spa sanitizers or oxidizers, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THE FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN ON THE PRODUCT LABEL AND CONTACT THE POISON INFORMATION CENTRE ON (021) 689 5227 FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.

Briefly, the following suggestions may be appropriate:

• Remove contaminated clothing.
• Call a physician immediately.
• Skin contact: Immediately brush off excess chemical and flush with water for 15 minutes.
• Eye contact: Hold eye open and flush with water for 15 minutes.
• Ingestion: Immediately drink large quantity of water, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.
• Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air.
• Any clothing which has come in contact with pool chemicals should be washed before re-use.
• Download the MSDS of the product that caused harm and take it to your Physician.

NOTICE- This information is provided to assist customers of BLSA Industries (Pty) Ltd in the safe handling and storage of swimming pool and spa chemicals. This information is believed to be accurate but BLSA Industries (Pty) Ltd gives no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to such information and disclaims any responsibility or liability whatsoever in connection with the transportation, storage, handling, use or disposal of its products by the purchasers and users of such products.

Chemicals protect you when they are used correctly in your pool or spa, but they may be hazardous if mishandled, improperly stored or contaminated. Swimming pool and spa sanitizers and oxidizers are very active chemical agents and they must be stored, handled and treated with respect, care and common sense.

The common sanitizer and oxidizers referred to are:

• Calcium Hypochlorite.
• Trichloro-s-triazinetrione or Trichloroisocyanuric acid.
• Dichloro-s-triazinetrione.
• Bromine products.
• Hydrogen Peroxide.

Follow these guidelines for safe handling and storage of swimming pool and spa chemicals around your home.

• Read all labels carefully and follow directions precisely. Never mix chemicals together. Chemical reactions, toxic fumes, explosions or a fire may occur. Add each chemical to pool water separately.
• If label instructions call for mixing or diluting with water, use a clean dry container and never add water to chemicals, always add chemicals to the water.
• Always use a separate clean scoop when measuring chemicals. Don’t interchange scoops or place a wet scoop back in any chemical container.
• Never put chemical products such as Calcium Hypochlorite directly into skimmers or automatic chlorinators made for dispensing Trichloro (stabilized chlorine) or bromine chemicals.
• Rinse out empty bags or containers of chemicals in pool water; it gets the full value of the product in the pool, and cleans residual chemical from the container.
• Always hold and open chemical containers in a well ventilated area with lid or cap pointed away from your face. Avoid breathing fumes and avoid letting chemicals contact eyes, nose, mouth or skin.
• Always keep chemical containers closed when not in use.
• Don’t smoke around chemicals. Some fumes can be highly flammable. Pool and spa sanitizers and oxidizers can be ignited by a lighted cigarette or match.
• Use exact quantities specified never more. Do not overdose.

• Do not place chemicals in boot of car for extended period of time. Unload and store them as soon as possible. Brace liquids from tipping over while in car.
• Never store household cleaners, detergents, bleaches, paints oils, greases, waxes, solvents, ammonia, fertilizers or gasoline near the pool sanitizers and oxidizers. All of these household chemicals are incompatible with pool sanitizers and oxidizers and, if they accidentally mix together, could cause a chemical reaction that will give off irritating toxic or noxious fumes; or result in a fire or explosion.
• Store chemicals in a cool, dry and well ventilated space.
• Keep chemicals away from heaters or open flames.
• Do not smoke in storage areas or when handling chemicals. Pool and spa sanitizers can be ignited by a lighted cigarette or match.
• Separate sanitizers and oxidizers from each other and from other chemicals.
• Never store liquids directly above sanitizers and oxidizers. They may accidentally leak and contaminate packaging of sanitizers.
• Many pool and spa sanitizers and oxidizers are corrosive so don’t store them near metal products like bicycles, lawn mowers, cars, etc. because they may cause rust.

How to handle them quickly and safely.

When any pool or spa sanitiser and oxidiser material spills:

• Be sure that no contaminant is present. Some common contaminants are household cleaners, detergents, bleaches, paints, oils, greases, waxes, solvents, ammonia, fertilizers or gasoline.
• Provide ventilation and clear area of children and other people.
• Wear protective gear (safety glasses, rubber gloves, etc.)
• Use only clean, dry brooms, shovels and containers. Do not use a vacuum cleaner.
• Separate spilled material from original container. Never return spilled material to original container.
• Never put spilled material in any sewer or steam.
• Small amounts of clean, spilled material may be put in your pool water. Check water chemistry to avoid imbalance
• Use extreme caution when attempting to clean up any spilled sanitizer and oxidizer that may have incompatible chemicals mixed together. Using the same precautions listed above, isolate the spilled material in a clean, dry container away from other stored chemicals, preferably outside the house or shed. Call your BioGuard pool professional or the manufacturer for disposal instructions. If any evidence of a fire occurs, evacuate the area immediately, and call the fire department immediately!