4 non-negotiables when it comes to pool time

With great power comes great responsibility. You've probably never heard this quote applied to swimming pools but it's true. You're going to have a lot of fun but there are some things that you can't overlook for your own good! Here are the four non-negotiables of owning a swimming pool. 

1. Wear sunscreen
This point can't be stressed enough. Skin cancer is serious stuff. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that it's the leading type of cancer in the country. More than 70,000 people were diagnosed with melanoma in 2011 and that same year, more than 12,000 people died from it. Since then, doctors and researchers have found that the number of cases of skin cancer is only increasing. UK Cancer Research pointed out that it's four times more common today than it was 30 years ago.

Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from this lethal disease. Apply it before, during and after pool time if you're still outside. Even the waterproof stuff can wash off. Use it to reduce your risk of cancer and keep your skin from prematurely aging.

2. Drink plenty of water
Consume water and not from the pool. Staying hydrated is crucial to your well-being. The American Heart Association explained that hydration helps blood pump to your heart more easily and it helps the muscles get rid of waste. People who don't drink enough water are putting themselves in danger. It can lead to swollen feet, headaches and serious medical conditions.

Even if you're not thirsty or physically active, bring your water bottle to the pool with you. When the temperature increases, your body needs more of it. According to the AHA, you should be drinking enough water to match the weather conditions and your perspiration. Someone who sweats more will need to drink more water. If you're thirsty then it means you're already dehydrated, explained John Batson, M.D., sports medicine physician to the AHA. Don't wait until it gets to that point. 

3. Exercise vigilance
It's extremely important that you're extra careful around the pool. Yes, it's like a giant toy but it's also a body of water, which can be dangerous. The CDC confirmed that around 10 people die from drowning every day in the U.S. Most of these incidents happen to kids who are between the ages of one and four, and they took place at residential pools. 

A primary reason behind this is that many people don't know how to swim. Whether you're the parent or child and you don't know how to swim, you should never be in the pool by yourself. Get a friend or family member to hang out by the water with you in case you slip and fall. Drowning is tragic but it's often preventable. Sign your family up for swim lessons, CPR and safety training courses. Teaching your children about water safety can be a great way to make them enthusiastic about it.

4. Take care of the pool
Make sure your pool features are up to date and that the water is clean and balanced. Recreational waterborne illnesses are transmitted from people swimming in your pool. Just by taking a dip you can get sick if other people with a virus have been in the water. You're probably thinking: Doesn't chlorine take care of this? The answer is yes and no. Chlorine needs to be balanced a few times a month because if there's too little of it, it won't kill off germs.

If you need to schedule a visit, call Fort Worth, Phoenix or San Diego pool service professionals. They offer routine maintenance where they'll change your chemicals every few weeks.