As a hot tub owner, you are responsible for the bathers in your spa. This means that you must enforce certain hot tub rules, even if they restrict how fun the activity can be. The following sections outline such rules on how to use your hot tub safely.
Shower before entering the hot tub
Rinse your body before stepping into the spa. Remove all oils, creams, fragrances, and dirt to keep the water clean and balanced. Similarly, refrain from pouring detergents or soaps into the water. A Jacuzzi might tolerate such chemicals, but hot tubs are different. The motors and filters might clog.
Refrain from consuming alcohol, prescription and recreational drugs
Surprisingly, warm water can heighten feelings of inebriation. Sipping on alcohol in the spa may seem relaxing, but indulging in too much can be hazardous. At any rate, you should keep any glass containers away from the tub. If anyone spills or drops a glass could lead to glass shards in the water, causing great damage to the lining and mechanics.
Keep Hot Tub Temperatures Below 104 Degrees Fahrenheit
For safety reasons, your hot tub should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit. For children of five or younger, the temperature should stay under 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Regardless of temperature, do not sit in hot water for more than 15 minutes. Doing so elevates body heat levels dangerously high. While some adults do not feel the effects as strongly as others, children often grow uncomfortable after 10 minutes.
If you are pregnant or have a special medical condition, consult a doctor for temperature recommendations.
Related reading: Can You Still Use Your Hot Tub In A Rain Storm?
Do Not Dive or Dunk into the Spa
Unlike pools with deep ends and diving boards, you should step gingerly into your spa. Ease yourself from the ledge, using any steps that descend into the water. Diving into shallow water is reckless.
High temperatures can agitate skin on the face, so keep your head above the water level. Moreover, hair can get tangled in the jets and filters, leading to entrapment. While modern hot tubs have caps and shields to prevent this, you should exercise caution in the spa regardless.
Hot tub safety is a factor that usually gets overlooked when people purchase hot tubs for recreational use. However, there are a few dangers that could take place while using a hot tub. If you already own a hot tub or are looking into purchasing one, this article will acquaint you with the possible dangers that you can prevent.
Never leave children unattended
If you have children or know that children will be around while a hot tub is in use, be sure that they are never unattended.
Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death in children. To avoid drowning, always be cautious and attentive to children and have them supervised by an adult.
Learn 3 ways to childproof your hot tub area here.
Monitor the length of time you’re in the hot tub
Hot tubs are meant to induce relaxation, which can sometimes make users confused about how long they’ve been in the hot tub/ how long they should stay in. Although the feeling is warm and comforting, do not stay in a hot tub for extended periods of time.
Not only can this cause dizziness, light-headedness, and confusion upon exiting the hot tub but there is also a greater chance of a user falling asleep and potentially drowning if they stay in for too long.
Avoid body entrapment
The function of a hot tub is for water to be drained from the bottom of the pool, circulate through heating units, and be brought back into the hot tub. These drains are very powerful and have caused body parts to be sucked into them, holding a person underwater. In the event of body entrapment, be sure to know where the emergency cut-off switch is located and remove the body part immediately.
Beware of hair entanglement
Hair entanglement is similar to body entrapment where long hair, instead of body parts, gets trapped in a drain or suction in the hot tub. This can cause the person to be held underwater and potentially drown. If hair gets entangled or trapped, follow the same procedure as body entrapment.
As with all activities, when it comes to enjoying a hot tub, health and safety should be everyone’s highest priority. It doesn’t take much more than common sense to ensure safety in a hot tub. Now that you know the potential dangers of hot tubs, prepare yourself and others for them and enjoy hot tubs safely and responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canadian Home Leisure supports the healthy and safe use of all hot tubs. If you are looking for exceptional hot tubs and hot tub experts, Canadian Home Leisure is here to help. Contact Canadian Home Leisure for great offers and solutions for all your hot tub needs and any questions you may have.
Who should not use a hot tub?
Children under 5 are cautioned against using a hot tub. Pregnant women should also refrain from using spas since raising the internal body temperature could cause birth defects. Anyone with health concerns should also refrain from using a hot tub.
How long should you spend in a hot tub?
Generally, it is recommended to spend no more than 10-15 minutes in a hot tub at a time. Use discretion and limit your hot tub use to 15-minute intervals to ensure your body temperature is regulated and you avoid dizziness and drowsiness.
What age is safe for hot tubs?
Hot tubs are intended for the use of children over 5 years of age and older. Seniors may need to avoid hot tubs if there are any health concerns or illnesses that pose a serious risk if their internal temperature is elevated.
Should you shower after using a hot tub?
It is recommended to shower after soaking in a hot tub to wash off the chemicals and any bacteria that may have been in the water. Prolonging post hot tub bathing gives bacteria more opportunity to sit on your skin and do harm.
