"I know chlorine is a necessity when you have a swimming pool. But what about the kiddie pool? My daughter loves playing in it, and I know there will be occasional accidents – it goes along with a baby in a pool. But for a small inflatable pool, should I add chlorine?”Asking about the use of chlorine in a small inflatable pool used for toddlers and infants is very perceptive. Not everyone thinks about a need for chemicals in a kiddie pool. So what is recommended?
A good point is brought up by Ehow.com. With a small kiddie sized pool, it would be easy to just dump out the water every day, and then refill it. That would alleviate the need for adding chemicals to the water. But since some of the inflatable pools can hold over 700 gallons of water, that method would be not only time consuming, but lead to very high water bills. It is suggested that draining the kiddie pool periodically is still a good way to eliminate leaf and bug debris, and any “accidents” which might have happened in the pool.
The other suggestion is to “shock” the pool with a chlorine treatment in between drainings. Chlorine can be purchased from a pool supply store, or use ordinary chlorine bleach. Using ¼ teaspoon for every 10 gallons of water is the recommended amount. For larger pools that would translate to 2 ½ teaspoons for every 100 gallons of water.
According to CDC.gov, the contamination factor must also be considered when dealing with toddlers around the pool. Swimmer’s bodies can contaminate the water, and of course, pool “accidents” are always a possibility. The use of chlorine is not a complete guarantee of safety. Many parents believe that chlorine kills everything instantly, leaving pool water sterilized, so there is no potential for a swimming pool – even a toddler pool with chlorine added – to spread illness. Researchers suggest getting rid of the myth that chlorinated pools cannot spread disease. An infant with diarrhea could infect a pool in spite of the presence of chlorine. Very young infants are in particular susceptible to illness, and being exposed to an infection that could lead to diarrhea could be very dangerous for a small child.
The CDC.gov site suggests that some waterborne pathogens such as cryptosporidium display chlorine resistance, and may survive for days despite adequate chlorination. Many of these pathogens have low infection doses, and can be infectious long after the illness ends. It appears the presence of these pathogens could outlive a dumping of the water in a kiddie pool and replacement with fresh water. Renewing the water in the kiddie pool and mixing in a proper amount of chlorine is no guarantee that all potential for illness has been removed.
Going even further, if there is an inadequate level of chlorine in a kiddie pool, pathogens normally sensitive to chlorine may spread to other swimmers. Combined with the health threat to swimmers from the chlorine resistant pathogens, there is a real risk that an infected kiddie pool can be a source of potential illness. Researchers recommend that it might be judicious for parents to consider refraining from taking the infant into the pool for two weeks after the cessation of diarrhea. Other precautions include checking diapers often, not changing diapers at poolside, washing the child thoroughly with soap and water before swimming.
Given the propensity of kiddie pool “accidents” and the vulnerability of toddlers to infection and illness, thinking through and following proper precautions around that pool are very wise. While the presence of chlorine and regular replacement of pool water lessen the risk of illness, precautions to minimize the introduction of bacteria and contaminants can also be very prudent.
A kiddie pool is a great way to introduce infants and toddlers to the pleasures of the water. The sight of young children splashing and enjoying the water is well worth the time spent to maintain a safe environment at the kiddie pool.
Becky Flanigan writes freelance articles for In The Swim. She has 3 kids with her wonderful husband – two boys and a girl – and two lovely golden retrievers. When she’s not managing chlorine tablets and pool chemicals, she spends hours at her family swimming pool, watching the kids and dogs play and have fun. She is also a dedicated runner, and diligently training for her first half marathon.
