As the season gradually changes and summer come around, the one thing that is on almost everyone’s mind is how to enjoy those hot days swimming and playing away in the pool.
Like every other pool, small inflatable pools must be made ready for summer, and this is done by cleaning and keeping them tidy. This is to keep them germ-free so that no one falls sick from playing in the pool.
The beauty about cleaning and maintaining that small pool for your young ones is that there are just simple normal routines you should follow to keep a clean pool, and guess what? You can do it all by yourself.
Can Kid Get Sick From Playing In A Dirty Small Pool
The answer is an obvious YES. Kids can get infected with germs if they play or swim in a small dirty pool, so the pool must be sanitary before the kids get to play in it.
There are many recreational water illnesses that kids can contract from playing in the pool. These illnesses are contracted when kids swallow pool water or breathe in a mist of water that is contaminated or infected.
Contamination in pool water can come from different sources, from the debris that gets into the pool water, using contaminated pool equipment, it could even be from a sick person who gets into the pool and hence gets the water infected; fecal accidents by kids are also a source of pool water infection amongst others.
Certain infections can result from playing in an unsanitary pool, and germs mostly cause E. Coli, norovirus, and Cryptosporidium (also known as Crypto). These microorganisms can cause the following infections:
- Diarrhea
- Respiratory infection ( this is common with infected hot tub)
- Skin infections
- Swimmer’s ear
- Chemical Irritation of the Eyes and Lungs.
- Lice, Pinworms, and MRSA.
You can significantly reduce the possibility of the kids who play in the pool contracting these infections by properly cleaning the pool.
How To Keep a Small Pool Clean
As you get ready for summer, one of the best things you can do is to clean that small pool that your kid plays in. If you follow the steps below to ensure you get it right:
1. Drain Water
If the pool already has water, you might notice that it might be slimy and cloudy, and even growing algae which will give a greenish color. Hence you have to drain the water before cleaning it.
Most small inflatable pools come with a drain plug near the bottom of the pool, but if your unit does not have this drain plug, you will have to deflate the pool to get rid of the water.
2. The Pool should be dried
Once the water in the pool is dried, the pool should be dried with a rag or towel to get rid of any remaining water left.
3. Scrub the lining
Use soapy water to scrub the pool to dislodge any slimy residue or grime left in the pool.
4. Use a Cleaning Solution
Make a cleaning solution of 1/2 cup of bleach and 6 cups; you can make a more concentrated solution if you have lots of molds and mildew in the pool. Then dip a sanitary wipe into the cleaning solution you just made to completely clean the pool.
5. Rinse the pool out
Use a garden hose to rinse out the pool at least twice; you can also use a bucket of water if you so wish. This is to get rid of any remaining bleach and cleaning solution left in the pool.
6: Refill Water
The pool must be looking clean; you now add fresh water.
You should clean out your small pool at least once a week; this will prevent the build-up of microbes in the pool that might make swimmers fall sick
Tips, Tricks, And Tools For Keeping Your Small Pool Clean
You can do a few things routinely to maintain your small pool, keep it clean, and prolong its useful life. Here are a few of the tools, tricks, and tips for this: achieve
1. Filter pump
If your pool has a filer pump, it will circulate the water and clean out any debris in the water, which means keeping the pool clean will not be difficult; all you need is a pump and chemicals.
If your pool is too small that it doesn’t have a filter pump, then get The Small Pool Care Kit made by Clorox to help keep the pool clean.
2. Pool Vacuum
This is used to get debris at the bottom of the pool that the pump cannot easily pick up. This is used mostly for bigger pools, though.
3. Water Treatment
It is important to treat the pool water to keep the water clean and safe for kids who play in the pool. You treat the water with chlorine to take care of any pathogens that might be in the pool; you also treat the pool to ensure that the pH levels of the water are neutral, which makes it safe for people to play in
4. Skimmer Net
This is one handy tool for getting debris out of the pool; they are inexpensive and readily available, which means it’s a must-have for any pool owner. You can use it to clear that small pool of debris that can contaminate the water.
5. The Scumbag Oil Absorbing Sponge:
This should find its way to your pool-cleaning tools arsenal because it takes care of any oil or such residue that gets into the water from swimmers’ body lotion, suntan lotions, and what have you that remains in the water. This sponge will absorb all these substances and keep your water cleaner for longer.
6. Pool Cover
The simplest way to keep algae from taking over your pool is to cover it when it is not used. Remember, algae need sunlight to grow and reproduce, so just covering the pool will keep the pool debris-free and stop algae from growing.
How Chlorine Keeps Your Pool Clean
You can keep your pool from being infected and causing illnesses for swimmers by maintaining proper chlorine and pH levels; this is very important if your pool is used frequently.
Chlorine takes care of most water-borne infections. When chlorine mixes with water, it forms an acid (no need to worry about being burned, it’s a weak acid) that is a disinfectant if the recommended quantity is used.
The CDC recommends a free chlorine level of 1 ppm for a pool; while the pH remains at a rate get of 7.2 to 7.8, any value higher than 8 will mean the water is alkaline, in which case the chlorine will be neutralized and become ineffective. At lower pH that is less than 7, the water will become too acidic that it can corrode the pipes.
Aside from the pH value of your pool, dirt, poop, pee, sweat, and such contaminants can reduce the chlorine available as a disinfectant in your pool because the chlorine in the water helps to break down these organic materials.
Chlorine availability in your pool is also affected by heat. At high temperatures, chlorine becomes less available in the pool water because the water is turned into aerosols and turns into mist, in which case some chlorine is lost.
Tips For Safe Swimming
Despite your pool cleaning regime, you must go the extra mile to protect your loved ones from germs in the pool by adhering to the swimming tips below:
1. Keep the pool clean at all times, and also keep a tab on the Chlorine levels and pH to ensure that they are adequate.
2. Don’t allow any sick child to use the pool. Even if they are recuperating, don’t allow them because they can easily spread the germ.
Know how to handle a fecal incident. If you’re a pool owner, follow proper pool cleaning and remediation techniques when removing poop or diarrhea from your swimming pool. If you’re using a public pool, immediately alert the pool staff or lifeguards of any fecal incidents.
3. In the event of a fecal incidence where a kid poos in the pool, ensure you get all the kids out of the pool immediately and use the right tools and technique to get the pool clean.
Take a quick shower before you swim. It’s tempting to think of a pool as a bath, but even just a quick rinse before getting in a pool can reduce the amount of dirt and sweat you bring into the water — which, in turn, can help maintain proper chlorine levels.
4. Encourage swimmers to shower before swimming in the pool to reduce the amount of dirt the pool water is exposed to
Dry your ears when you get out. To prevent ear infections that occur due to leaving contaminated water in your ear, make sure to thoroughly dry your ears after getting out of the pool. If you have a history of ear infections, consider wearing a swim cap or earplugs.
5. Always dry the ears of the kids whenever they are done playing in the small pool. This will help prevent ear infections.
Prep your kids. Before swimming, remind your kids to avoid peeing in the pool or swallowing pool water. For younger children, schedule bathroom breaks and diaper changes every hour — making sure to change diapers in a bathroom, not poolside.
6. Teach young kids the importance of keeping the pool clean and why they ought not to pee in the water. Encourage them to take bathroom breaks, so they are discouraged from peeing in the poo.
Conclusion
You can never have a pool that is too clean. A clean pool means safety for the people swimming and using the pool; this becomes more pertinent if young kids are the swimmers because they can easily get the pool messed up with pee and poo. So ensure that you do all it takes to make the pool a safe place for play and swimming.
Helpful Articles:
- Best Inflatable Pool Cleaner Tool
- Can You Set Up an Inflatable Pool on Concrete?
- How to Keep Inflatable Pool Water Clean With Salt
- Can I Put an Inflatable Pool on my Deck
- How Long Can You Leave Water in an Inflatable Pool
We trust this article helped you learn how to keep a small pool clean. You may also want to check out if You Can Put Chlorine in an Inflatable Pool
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