HOT TUB SAFETY
The comfort of a good soak in the hot tub can make the best of us throw caution to the wind. The reality is all bodies of water, even the ones as small as a spa, can be quite dangerous. If you own a hot tub or spa, you should practice hot tub safety.
Daunting as the task may seem, you can avoid accidents in your hot tub. Here are some tips for hot tub safety.
Spa check-ups
All machinery needs regular checkups to ensure things are in order and working smoothly. Your hot tub is no exception.
Set a weekly or monthly schedule, depending on the frequency of your use to make sure nothing is wrong. You should consult a professional to make sure the spa is in safe working conditions.
Installing a 24/7 pH monitor like pHin in your spa will let you know about chemical imbalances as soon as they occur. With the right pH, spa chemical balance, and regular cleaning, you can avoid harmful bacteria buildup in the hot tub.
Hot Tub Safety precautions
As the owner, it is your responsibility to educate everyone about safety measures.
Hot tub bathers are at serious risk for hot water-related injuries. It is crucial that the water temperature doesn’t exceed 104°F. It is also important to time your soaking period. The average soaking time is around 15-20 minutes and it shouldn’t be exceeded. Spending a prolonged amount of time can result in dizziness, fainting, and in extreme cases death.
Expecting Mothers
Pregnant women are at a higher risk of heat-related issues such as hyperthermia. Prolonged bathing times are to be especially avoided because excessive heat can harm the fetus. Soaking time should be no more than 10-15 minutes. If any discomfort is felt, pregnant women should get out of the tub immediately. The water temperature should be below 102°F.
Children
Children should not be allowed to enter the tub without adult supervision. Though, accidents can happen even when an adult is around.
Kids can get very excited at the opportunity to have a dip in the tub. Therefore, don’t let this excitement come in the way of precaution.
Beware of signs of overactivity like rosy cheeks. You might want to take your child out of the tub to let them cool down for a bit before entering the pool again.
Ensure that all bathers, especially kids, are hydrated. You can set a small snack bar of juices and fruits like watermelon for the kids so that they can enjoy the hot tub without dehydrating.
Some hazards to look out for
Hot tubs are a great way to enjoy an afternoon with your family. Though, a very common hazard is slipping inside the tub. Therefore, children and adults alike should not attempt to run in the hot tub. Accidents like spraining, bruising, and drowning can very easily occur.
Do not bring any sharp objects or toys in the hot tub. Small and sharp objects not only cause severe injuries to bathers, but they can also clog the spa’s jets and filters.
Handling electrical devices
We know you might be thinking it is absurd to even mention this because it’s common sense, but we’ll still say it: keep ALL corded electronic devices, naked wiring, and electrical appliances away from the spa.
It would also be a good idea to keep your mobile phones and gadgets away from the spa to avoid damaging them.
Spa cover
We cannot stress how important a spa cover is. It will help you keep out unwanted bathers, restrict kids from entering the tub without adult supervision, keep dirt and debris out of the pool water, and avoid contamination.
Apart from those benefits, a spa cover will also aid you in conserving electricity, thus reducing your bill greatly.
Don’t have a spa cover? Contact us today and we can walk you through our selection of hot-tub covers and hot tub safety accessories.
