We all love to spend time in and around the pool during the summer and it can be a chore to remember the sunscreen when we’re excited to get in the water. It can be even easier to get a sunburn and skin damage when swimming as the water keeps you cool and you don’t feel the heat like you would out of the pool. Wearing sunscreen is one of the most important things that you can do to protect your skin from damage and skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States with increasing numbers in the last thirty years. There are some very simple steps you can follow to help prevent the development of skin cancer, with the American Cancer Society recommending the Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap technique which entails:
- Slipping on a shirt
- Slopping on sunscreen
- Slapping on a hat
- Wrapping sunglasses around your eyes
Swimmers should use water resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 when in the pool, protect your skin with a light shirt, a hat and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes when out of the pool. Maintaining proper pool chemicals is also important for safety and comfort of your skin and eyes.
Maintain Pool Chemical and pH Balance for Eye Comfort
Maintaining the proper balance of all necessary chemicals in the pool is important for swimmer safety, which includes maintaining a comfortable pH balance. The pH balance in our eyes is typically between 7.2 and 7.4, which makes the ideal pH balance of a swimming pool within that range slightly +/- either way of 7.0 to 7.6. Keeping the pH of the pool within this range reduces side effects such as red, burning eyes.
With the pH in proper balance, chlorine is also working with optimum disinfection characteristics. Borate is a mineral that is increasing in use in both commercial and residential pool maintenance. Borate provides many benefits which include:
- Helping to maintain proper pH balance by preventing the pH level from fluctuating too high or too low
- Preventing algae growth while reducing the amount of algaecide and chlorine required
- Saving electricity costs by running your pump less. With the powerful effects of Borate, you will have clean, sparkling water with less pump filtration required.
- Conditions and softens water providing clean and soft water for swimmers
- Prevents corrosion of pool equipment with powerful conditioning effects
With all these benefits, we should all consider adding some Borate to our swimming pools. Check out our special this month to save on your Borate purchase, and any other UV protection products. Remember to stay safe this summer by following UV safety practices and contact The Swimming Pool Store for all your pool maintenance questions.
The Swimming Pool Store offers professional and friendly pool services for any stage of the season, with experienced technicians and quality products. We offer monthly specials on valuable products such as premiere pool floats and all your UV safety products. Contact us today to learn more about our special offers and as always, stop in for your free water sample test today.
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