Don’t Relax on These Hot Tub Safety Tips

Hot tubs are a fun and relaxing way to spend time with friends and family. But don’t let their size fool you. They need the same attention to safety as a swimming pool, if not more. The following are some critical hot tub safety tips.

 

Beware the “Hidden” Dangers

Hot tubs utilize powerful suction to operate their jets. Anything that can fit into one of the many drains or jets can be trapped, especially hair. Therefore, all hair should always be tied and avoid loose garments like t-shirts. The high number of drains and jets in a hot tub can make it potentially more dangerous than a swimming pool. This is true for adults and kids.

In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports 11 victims of drain entrapment between 2013-2017, two of which were fatal. The majority of these incidents took place in a hot tub.

 

Never Let Infants or Toddlers in the Hot Tub

Young children’s thin skin makes it very easy for them to overheat. Plus, as infants and toddlers are known to do, they can “accidentally” make the water unsanitary. So it’s better just to keep them out of the hot tub.  

 

Make Sure Kids Are Big Enough

Children should only be allowed in the hot tub when they can stand on the bottom while their head remains completely out of the water.

 

Keep the Hot Tub Covered

If no adults are present, the hot tub should always be covered. Plus, an adult should always be actively watching the hot tub anytime the cover is off. Just like with a pool, designate a “water watcher” to make sure a responsible adult is always watching.

 

Keep Hot Tub Time to a Minimum

Even when kids are big enough to be in the hot tub, it’s important to closely monitor how much time they spend in it. No more than 5 minutes at the hottest setting. Taking the temperature below 100 degrees can extend that time to 15 minutes.

 

Stay Hydrated and Monitor Symptoms

Anyone who is the hot tub should drink plenty of water. Get out of the hot tub if you ever feel dizzy or overheated. If you don’t feel right, get out and cool off.

 

Responsible Adult Supervision

As with all water, from pools to puddles, the key to safety is active and responsible adult supervision. There is no substitute.

 

Resources:

http://apsp.org/safety/pool-spa-safety/hot-tub-safety-tips

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/hot-tub-pool-safety

 

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