The Dos and Don’ts of Storing Pool Chemicals

Be Safe Year-Round with Proper Pool Chemical Storage

Whether you have young children, pets, or simply want to be cautious, storing pool chemicals properly is necessary to ensure safety for everyone. At Millennium Pool Service, we want you to enjoy all summer has to offer without any worries.

This step-by-step safe pool chemical storage guide will put your fears to rest and teach you the proper way to store pool chemicals, things you should avoid, and what you absolutely must do to create a safe environment.

Environment Matters

First and most significantly, when storing pool chemicals, you must choose a strategic location. Specifically, you should always avoid storing your pool chemicals in rooms or environments that have any of the following characteristics:

• High humidity
• Extreme temperatures
• Improper air flow and/or ventilation
• Direct sunlight
• Storage near any flammable materials

One of the biggest misconceptions, meanwhile, is that at-home pool chemicals can be stored in a garage. This should always be avoided, as chlorine can cause metal rusting, while garages are poorly ventilated and can therefore lead to an unhealthy buildup of toxic fumes.

To keep it simple, keep home chemicals in the same packaging they came in, and store them in a well-ventilated room or area that does not get too hot or too cold. When opening the chemicals, meanwhile, be sure to go outdoors to ensure maximum ventilation.

Pool Chemicals Have Expiration Dates, Too!

Fruits and vegetables aren’t the only things that can go bad! To ensure safe storage and keep the good times going, remember that pool chemicals should be stored for two pool seasons at the very most.

And for those that have an above-ground or in-ground chlorine pool, remember that you should ideally only keep tablets for one pool season, and then refresh accordingly.

Prevent an Accident Before it Happens

The most important aspect of pool chemical safety and safe storage: be proactive, not reactive. Most significantly, you should always adhere to the following standards and protocols:

• Wear proper equipment. Some pool chemicals are sensitive on the skin, while fumes can cause you to feel lightheaded and dizzy. Therefore, always protect your eyes and nose.
• Separate liquids from solids. Liquid chemicals mixing with solid chemicals can cause reactions that are harmful to your health. Therefore, have a “liquid chemicals” section for your storage facility, and a “solid chemicals” section.
• Always keep all chemicals in a neutral temperature, well ventilated, and dry place. In other words, avoid direct sunlight, proximity to electrical outlets, and areas that are conducive to flooding.
• Check each chemical’s information. All chemicals have something called a safety data sheet (otherwise known as an SDS), which provides a quick breakdown of the chemical, its ideal environment, and safety warnings associated with it. Always be sure to keep your chemical’s SDS, as this will help you in emergencies.

Want to automate your pool’s chemicals even further? Be sure to take advantage of chemical control automation and online monitoring for a stress-free experience.

If you’re from the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area and have further questions or concerns regarding pool chemicals, their proper storage, or best practices, do not hesitate to contact the experts at Millennium Pool Service.