Swimming Pool Chemicals Responsible for Thousands of Injuries and Illnesses

Citrus County, Florida – The chemicals used in swimming pools cause thousands of injuries and illnesses every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of these accidents can be prevented. In fact, it is estimated that the chemicals found in pools have caused more than 28,000 cases of injury and illness between 2002 and 2008, according to a CDC report.

According to an article in U.S. News and World Report , most pool chemical accidents happen in backyard swimming pools. The most common injuries associated with these accidents include eye injuries, respiratory problems and skin injuries. Most pool chemical accidents did not result in severe injuries and less than 5 percent of reported injuries required extended hospital treatment. Surprisingly, though, nearly 40 percent of these injuries were work related.

Pool chemical accidents and injuries often arise from the following:

• Accidental Splashes and Spills. Handling pool chemicals requires the use of extra caution, as many of the containers holding the chemicals are poorly designed. Never allow children to handle these chemical containers.
• Mixing Mismatched Chemicals. Owners of pools must always read the labels on products very carefully to prevent the improper mixing of chemicals. In fact, it may be a good idea to look into the devices that automatically keep unsuited chemical mixing from occurring.
• Lack of Training and Supervision. Pool owners and pool employees must be aware of the proper ways to open, handle, close and store chemical containers.
• Incorrect Storage. Chemical containers should always be sealed shut before putting them away. They should be stored in a place that is out of children’s reach.

Excessive chemicals inside a pool can lead to chemical burns. Unfortunately these accidents can happen in any pool setting as a result of careless pool maintenance.

The responsible parties may include the property owner, the pool maintenance company and possibly a government entity in charge of a public pool.

According to a 2006 Survey of Residential Swimming Pools Assessed by Florida County Property Appraisers, nearly 1.1 million residential swimming pools exist in Florida. In Citrus County alone, 12,775 private homes have swimming pools on site.

Swimming pool accidents can arise from a variety of factors, and injuries can range from slight to severe. The Citrus County Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton understand just how upsetting these injuries or illnesses can be.

If you or someone you love suffered from a swimming pool injury or illness in Inverness or Crystal River contact the Citrus County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton online or call 352-726-0078.