STRETCHINGEas Staycation Safety For Pool And Spa Owners (NAPSA)—In today’s economic climate, the best spot for your summer vacation just might be your own backyard. The “staycation,” where people spend their vacation and weekends at homeinsteadoftraveling, is gaining in popularity. Andif you own a pool or spa, you can invite friends and family over to join you on your staycation—and all summer long as well. But increased usage also increases the importance of testing the water in your pool on a regular basis to keep it as clean and safe as possible. To help ensure everyone’s health, experts advise testing your pool water chemistry at least three times each week for active sanitizer (chlorine, bromine, other), pH, total alkalinity and other water conditions if the pool is not being used. As the usage increases, you should test more often. “Tf you own a private pool, you need to understand how to operate that pool properly and how to handle the chemicals that you use during that operation,” suggests Dr. Michael Beach, a water and healthy swimming expert with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We designed our entire product line to help pool and spa owners know right away the exact condition of their water, and to help them determine any chemical adjustments they need to make,” says Jon Brew, business unit director for Environmental Test Systems. “Using technology adapted from the medical industry, AquaChek Test Strips are easy to use and very accurate— making them ideal for testing pools and spas.” Checking pool and spa waterfrequently—especially during heavy usage—canhelp ensure that the water is clean and safe. Simply dip a strip into your pool or spa for one second, remove it, and then compare the color on the strip to the color chart on thelabel. You'll know immediately how safe and clean your pool water is, and what adjustments you need to make in your pool chemicals to ensure its continued cleanliness. Likewise, if you use a public pool, it can be a good idea to bring along test strips to make sure the water is safe for swimming. AquaChek Pool and Spa Test Strips are available from pool and spa dealers throughout the country. The dealers can also answer questions about testing and how to keep your pool water clean so you can continueto safely enjoy it as often as possible. Remember, a staycation by your pool can be a wonderful, relaxing time—especially when you take steps to instill confidence in its health and cleanliness. To learn more, visit www.aquachek.com.
