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"Kids Pool Problems"
Making a
pool safer & more kid friendly.
The Pool & Spa Informational Website
askalanaquestion.com |
Considerations & Solutions
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Scroll down to browse
through some archived SWIMMING POOL questions and answers.
Please access the Pool Problems Page and other links, at the top of
every page, for additional information.
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Kids are
the reason most pools are purchased and making the experience as enjoyable as
possible is the goal of good water management. Kids tend to spend a lot of
time in the water and, ultimately, depend on the adults for the important
matters of pool safety and water quality.
Clicking
on the underlined and highlighted
"keywords" or "catch phrases," in the archived answers will
give you access to additional information on that topic or product.
Please refer to the Glossary, if
there are terms or phrases that require explanation.
For an alphabetized listing
of the entire contents of the website, use the
Table of Contents link, on top of
every page.
( Click on the
Picture.)
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More information about Alarms/Monitoring Systems for
Aboveground and Inground Pools can be found on the
SMARTPOOL, INC. Preview Page
in the "Pools & Equipment" Product Information Section.
Links are available to connect you to their website.
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►
Don't
"Pee" In the Pool?
A friend of mine
insists that there is a product that will cause the water to turn a color, if
someone urinates in the pool. None of the pool stores around here seem to
have the product. What is it called and where can I get it? I need
to do something about the kids and you know what. Help.
Bob O., Hicksville,
NY, 7/3/2004
You wouldn't
believe how often this subject comes up.
But, alas, there is no
such product. It is a joke, that seems to have spread itself
around. However, urinating in a swimming pool is not a joke. It will
very quickly deplete the
Free
Chlorine and produce those irritating and odorous Chloramines.
That's why there is a smell. The only remedy is to shock the pool and
reestablish the Free Chlorine level. Sorry about not having the
solution Enjoy the summer.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 7/3/2004
► Safety Concerns?
We have a pool and with 3
small kids, safety is always on my mind. Are there gadgets that can ease
my mind? Thank you for any help. 
Cindy J., St. Petersburg
Beach, FL, 1/11/2009
There sure
are! You forgot to mention the kind of pool that you have:
inground or above ground. But it doesn't matter.
Pool
Alarm Systems are available for both types of pools. For
complete information on this product as well as information on
Gate
Alarm Systems go to:
www.smartpool.com
I am sure that they will have something that will ease your mind. If you
have an inground pool, make sure that it is equipped with the latest in
compliant safety features,
It can prevent serious accidents, due to the powerful suction forces holding a
swimmer underwater. Enjoy
the pool.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 1/11/2009
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Safety Concerns In Vanishing Edge Pool?
I have an in-ground overflow pool. Would an alarm, such as POOLEYE work in
my pool?
Kind regards,
Kevin R., Cyprus, 4/8/2009
There should be no problem
using a
PoolEye
alarm, in an overflow or vanishing edge pool. It will provide the added
safety, that you are seeking. Enjoy the pool.
Sincerely .
Alan Schuster, 4/8/2009
►
Kids With
"Green Hair"?
My two daughters
have blonde hair, the natural type, and have developed a greenish tint in their
hair. We have had the pool for three years and this is the first time this
has happened. What can I do to stop the problem and is there anything that
can help their hair? Please help. Thank you.
Dave A., Rocky
Mount, NC, 7/23/2003
Two
possibilities. The chlorine is affecting the hair and/or some of the
hair products, that might have been used. The other, more likely
possibility is copper. You can
test
the water for Copper, to confirm any presence. The question is what
is the source of the copper. Chelated copper algaecides are usually not
the problem, especially if used as directed. If you have a heater and use
chlorine or bromine, the presence of low pH conditions over prolonged periods
can result in some copper corrosion in the heater. This will add copper to
the water in a problematic form. In either case, here is what I
suggest. Add a double dose, for each 1 PPM of copper, of a Quality Mineral
Treatment. This will chelate (stabilize) the copper and avoid further
problems. So far as the hair is concerned, try this: shampoo in the
usual manner and apply a generous amount of acidic Leading Brand Hair
Conditioner and leave on for 15 minutes. These products have a very low pH and should help
"pull out" the discoloration. Repeat daily, as necessary.
Kids can spend a lot of time in the pool and that can make them more
susceptible, to this problem, than adults. I hope that I have been
helpful. Enjoy the summer.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 7/24/2003
►
"Red
Eyes"?
We have a small, 12
foot round pool. My two children have gotten "red eyes" a
few times. What cause this? Thank you.
Rita S., Bayside, NY,
8/4/2004
Red eyes
or stinging eyes can
be an
irritation problem, that results from high levels of chloramines: an
irritating, odorous and ineffective form of combined chlorine. Make sure
that you use a
Free Chlorine Test Kit and
that you keep the Free Chlorine level at 1-3 PPM, as much of the time as
possible. Try and keep the Total Chlorine level, no more than 1-2 PPM,
above the Free Chlorine. This will keep the amount of chloramines to a
minimum. Small above ground pools
can be quickly depleted of all of the chlorine. Inadequate sanitation can
lead to infections and kids can spend a lot of time in and under the water.
Because the volume of water is relatively small, in your pool, the sanitizer can
be depleted very quickly.
If there are small children involved, I
suggest that your test the Free Chlorine before the pool is used, at the first
signs of loss of water quality and periodically throughout the day, depending
upon the pool usage.
The use of a non-chlorine shock, on an as-needed basis, can help to reduce the
chloramines present in the water.
All medical conditions should be
evaluated by a medical doctor. I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 8/4/2004
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Visit The Test Equipment Store, for all your needs. |
► Toddler
Safety Concerns?
We have two toddlers and are very, very concerned about
pool safety, as they are wily climbers. I have read your high
recommendation of the automatic pool cover as an answer to another question
sent to you about a toddler. My question is, how do you think it stacks up
as compared to the net cover? We are concerned about water collecting in
the center of the vinyl cover. Also, do you recommend fences too? What
about sensors? We are looking for as much safety as we can get, for our
young kids and also for when they're older and for older kids who may try to
swim in our pool when we're not home. Thanks for any advice.
Amy, 1/23/2008
A
Cover Pools Automatic Pool Safety Cover provides the highest level of
safety. Water will not collect on top, as the covers come with an automatic
pump that prevents accumulations of water. This prevents dirty, unfiltered
water from entering the pool. It
is strong enough to hold the weight of several adults, quite easily. As a
bonus, it acts as a solar blanket, making the pool heater more effective and
less costly. If you are in an area, that requires winter covers, it can be
used, as part of that procedure. Net covers provide some
protection, but are not the same. It is work to put on or take off and will
that always be done? The spaces between the cords allows for some things to
pass through or entangle? Automatic covers open and close at a press of a
button. An alarm can be added to signal the opening of the cover or it can be
locked open or closed, with a key. For more information go to:
www.coverpools.com
Fencing or gates help, but are not
foolproof. However, you can
add alarms to the pool or
gates, for additional safety.
You should, also, make sure the
pool is equipped with the latest anti-snare, anti-entanglement safety features.
It precludes the suction, from the main drain, from entrapping the long hair of
a swimmer or buttocks, arms, legs and other body parts.
I hope that this information will provide a peace of mind solution.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 1/28/2008
►
Vacuuming A Small Pool?
I have only of those
inexpensive pools with a liner suspended from a pole. The vacuum I use is
just about useless. It works with a garden hose and only seems to move the
dirt around. It will catch a leaf, but not the small stuff. Is there
an easy, inexpensive solution? Thank you. 
Belinda T, 2/29/2008
The
best vacuums are either have self contained filters or use the pool's filter.
In your case, you have neither. That garden hose vacuum uses water flow to
suck in debris, but it is not effective and could be a waste of water. There
is a hand-held vacuum that is battery-powered, hoseless and fully portable.
It is reasonably and affordably priced and is perfect for all types of small
pools, kiddie pools and even spas. It will make for a much cleaner pool. Enjoy the season.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 2/29/2008
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Go
cordless and get the job done easily!!! |
►
"Swimmer's
Ears"?
What causes
swimmer's ears? The kids have had it and so has my husband. Thanks
for helping. Best regards.
Helen, M.,
5/23/2008
Swimmer's ear is
caused by the pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
This condition should
receive the attention of a medical doctor, for proper evaluation and treatment.
There are factors that can contribute to this problem. Inadequate
sanitation can play a role in bacterial growth. Water that remains in the
ear, for long periods of time, can add to the likelihood of the
problem, especially, if the water was not sanitized properly. The practice
of shaking the water out of the ears and drying the ears, after swimming, is a
good idea and is worth following. I hope that this information will prove
helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster,
3/21/2006
I just bought my daughter a small pool for her to use this
summer. It isn't a large one (103" x 63" x 18") however it is big enough that I
don't want to have to drain it often. I was hoping that you could point me in
the right direction so that I could keep it safe and clean for her. Could
you please suggest a course of action that I may use and the products to make
sure I don't overdo it. I truly appreciate your time and hope to hear from
you soon.
Dottie, 3/21/2006
Small pools can be more challenging than larger ones.
The smaller volume of water makes chemicals react with a more pronounced
effect. After filling the pool, I suggest that you have the water
tested. You will need to adjust the pH to 7.2-7.6 and the total
alkalinity to about 100 PPM. The water analysis will show if there are
metals present or if water hardness needs to be addressed. I suggest that
you add sodium dichlor granular chlorine, as it will have the least effect on
the pH. Keep the free chlorine at 1-3 PPM. Test before and after
each use and add more chlorine, as needed. For testing purposes, I suggest
the
LaMotte Insta-Test strips. Make sure that you have use the filter
for a reasonable number of hours: 6-8 hours depending on the pump size.
Please refer to the other areas of the website for additional information.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster,
3/21/2006
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Proper water chemistry will help to better control and avoid algae problems
and maintain more optimum swimming conditions.
More information about Pool/Spa Water Testing Products can be found in the
Test Equipment Store. |
(Click on any image for ordering and information.)
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