Are there any health or safety concerns related to using a solar bed cover, and how can pool owners mitigate these risks?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

While solar bed covers offer benefits like [pool water temperature increases](/qa/how-do-solar-bed-covers-affect-pool-water-temperature-and-swimming-season) and reduced evaporation, it's important to be aware of potential health and safety concerns. When used correctly, these covers are generally safe, but certain considerations require attention.

Safety Concerns

The primary safety concern with solar bed covers is that they are not safety covers.

• They are not designed to support weight. This means a person or pet can easily become trapped underneath, creating a severe drowning risk.
• Always ensure unsupervised access is prevented. Based on numerous user experiences, never allow children or animals near a pool with only a solar cover in place.
• Remove the cover entirely before swimming. Attempting to swim under or around a partial cover is extremely dangerous. For more details on safety, see [safety considerations](/qa/what-are-the-safety-considerations-for-solar-bed-covers-especially-around-children-and-pets).

Health Concerns

Chemical Outgassing and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

High temperatures trapped under the cover can lead to increased chemical concentration and the potential for outgassing. This includes:

• Accelerated off-gassing of pool chemicals.
• Release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the cover material itself, particularly when the cover is new.

To mitigate these risks:

• Ensure proper pool ventilation, especially for indoor pools.
• Consider rinsing new covers thoroughly before their first use to wash away manufacturing residues.
• Maintain a proper chemical balance in your pool water. Extreme chemical levels can degrade the cover material, potentially releasing unwanted substances. For more on how these covers affect [pool chemistry](/qa/how-do-solar-bed-covers-affect-pool-chemistry-and-what-adjustments-are-needed), refer to that guide.

Bacterial Growth

While solar covers reduce debris, if not cleaned regularly, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria.

• The combination of moisture and warmth trapped on the cover's surface creates an ideal environment for microbial growth.
• Regular cleaning with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner is recommended to prevent bacteria buildup. For tips on cleaning and maintenance, check out [maintaining your solar cover](/qa/how-do-i-properly-clean-and-maintain-my-solar-bed-cover-to-prevent-algae-or-mold-buildup-and-ensure-its-longevity).

Physical Safety During Handling

Handling large solar covers can present physical safety risks:

• They can be heavy and unwieldy, increasing the risk of strains or falls during deployment and removal.
• Using a proper reel system significantly reduces these risks, making the process much safer and easier. Explore options for [solar bed cover reels](/qa/solar-bed-cover-reels-vs-manual-handling-which-is-best-for-convenience-and-durability).
• Always use caution, and if the cover is too large to manage alone, enlist help.