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Hot Tub Safety 101: Everything You Need to Know

OUR HOT TUB BLOG

Winter is coming, and there will come a time when you’ll be in desperate need of a bit of warmth. What will you do? Hop into your hot tub, that’s what! A relaxing soak in the bubbling water is just what the doctor ordered to warm up those cold bones.

But before you jump right in, there are some things to know about hot tub safety that will ensure your time spent soaking is as enjoyable as it can be.

Read on for all sorts of helpful hot tub safety tips for keeping yourself safe when lounging in the hot tub with friends or family this winter season.

11 Hot Tub Safety Tips You Should Know

  1. Don’t Forget The Pre-Soak Shower
  2. Speak With Your Doctor
  3. Temperature Matters… But So Does Time
  4. Watch Out For Kids (And Pets)
  5. Water Chemistry Is An Area Of Concern
  6. Safe Installation Space
  7. About Medication And Drugs
  8. Watch Out For Cloudy or Foamy Water
  9. Watch Out For Hypothermia In Winter
  10. Ventilation For Indoor Tubs
  11. Cleaning Your Hot Tub Regularly

Let’s take a look at each one of these hot tub safety tips…

Don’t Forget The Pre-Soak Shower

Before you even enter the hot tub, you want to make sure that any dirt, debris or oils are washed off your body.

Why? Because the soap, oils, sweat, and dirt, among other contaminants on your skin and hair, can affect the chemistry of the water and even affect the filtration system. By showering beforehand, you can prevent contaminants from entering the water in the first place.

Pro tip: shower with your bathing suit on to help reduce any soaps that may still be lingering within the fibers.

Speak With Your Doctor

While hot tubs are generally safe for everyone, certain conditions may require abstaining or limiting your hot tub usage.

If you’re pregnant, recovering from surgery, or have a health issue such as a heart condition, it would be wise to speak with your physician prior to hopping in the hot tub.

For those with heart conditions, it’s best to stay within the normal temperature range of 32°C-38°C (89.6°F-100.4°F) due to the increased blood pressure that can result from getting into water hotter than this.

A fraction of people with diabetes, MS, or other autoimmune conditions have reported worsened symptoms after hot tubbing, so again, it would be best to speak with your doctor first before deciding if a soak is suitable for you.

Temperature Matters… But So Does Time

One of the first questions most people ask when they hop into a hot tub is ‘how hot is this water?’.

The answer is: it depends.

Hot tubs and spas come in various sizes and shapes so that the temperature can vary from one to another. That said, you should look up your hot tub’s maximum operating temperature range before hopping in.

Most companies recommend keeping the water within 32°C-38°C (89.6°F-100.4°F), and most people who follow those guidelines will have a gratifying experience. As for time spent soaking, most people can sit in a hot tub for up to 30 to 45 minutes.

After that, research suggests that muscle and nerve problems can occur if you continue to soak; those who exercise frequently may find their muscles getting tired as well.

Watch Out For Kids (And Pets)

You might not think of it as often as adults, but toddlers and babies should not soak in hot tubs.

This is because their skin does not regulate temperature as well; if the water in the hot tub gets too warm, they can start to sweat and develop heat exhaustion or worse.

Drowning can also be a concern, as kids can’t lift themselves out of a hot tub as easily as adults. In addition, children’s skin is thinner and more delicate than adults, so it will be more susceptible to burning.

If you have younger children at home, consider getting a childproof fence around the hot tub as an added safety measure. Older children (teens) can soak at reduced temperature for under thirty minutes. You should also keep pets out of hot tubs so as not to cause any accidents or injuries.

If you love your pets and kids and want to share a soak with them, consider purchasing a swim spa instead so that everyone can enjoy themselves without worrying too much about hot tub safety.

Water Chemistry Is An Area Of Concern

Make sure that you’re aware of your local area’s water chemistry. This will drastically affect how much care your spa needs to stay in good condition.

If the water has a high pH level or lots of metal deposits, you’ll likely need more chemicals to keep your spa clean and free of microorganisms.

On the other hand, if you have alkaline water, you probably need more acid to maintain your spa’s pH level.

In any case, you must be aware of what kind of chemicals are in your hot tub or swim spa, as you’ll need to replenish them when the time comes.

Safe Installation Space

Whether or not your hot tub is placed indoors or outdoors, you must consider the installation space.

Those who go with indoor placement should be aware of ventilation, and proper drainage, so there isn’t any risk of flooding. The flooring should also be safe and reduce the risk of slip and fall injuries. Non-slip steps are a good way to do this.

Handrails can help get in and out of the hot tub, and is especially popular among geriatric users.

Outdoor hot tubs should also be placed on a level surface, preferably with electricity running nearby. You’ll want to keep the area well-lit as well for safety purposes. However, ensure no wiring or other electrical equipment is placed too close to the hot tub itself, as you don’t want it getting wet and potentially causing a shock or fire.

In addition to this, you should maintain outdoor spas just like an indoor spa to keep them clean and free of grime.

About Medication And Drugs

Once you know the proper temperature ranges for your hot tub, you may want to consider how medication and other drugs affect this.

Consulting your doctor for medication is a good place to start. As for drugs, we know it is common to pop champagne and smoke cigars or marijuana in hot tubs.

While this is not recommended because of blood pressure changes, moderation is usually not a problem.

With that said, moderation is the key. You don’t want to overindulge in hot tubs and end up feeling sick or throwing up in your beautiful spa.

Watch Out For Cloudy or Foamy Water

If your hot tub starts to seem off or cloudy, it may be time to balance chemicals.

Don’t panic if the water gets cloudy, as this can happen from algae growth and is fairly normal. However, if you have a foamy-looking substance growing in your hot tub, that could indicate a problem with your sanitation system, and you should call a professional to check it out.

As previously mentioned, the key to hot tub safety is awareness and caution. Microorganisms can be a real threat if you fail to take care of your hot tub or swim spa, but as long as you do your research and choose the proper chemicals for your water type, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a spa all year round.

Watch Out For Hypothermia In Winter

If your Jacuzzi is located far away from the entry of your house, you have to think about winter. There will be an abrupt change in temperature once you exit the warm embrace of the water, so make everyone leave in a timely manner.

Be mindful of how quickly the temperature change can affect someone. You don’t want to end up with hypothermia or any other type of life-threatening condition. Keep towels and robes on hand, and make sure to change into dry clothing as soon as you exit the tub.

Ventilation For Indoor Tubs

If your hot tub is located indoors, make sure you have proper ventilation. This will help keep humidity to a minimum and prevent mold and mildew formation.

If your indoor hot tub has a waterfall or other water feature, make sure it’s adequately vented to the outside as well. These types of things can cause severe damage to your home if they are not correctly looked after.

The ventilation system doesn’t have to be complicated either! Many floors now have a return air vent as part of the design. Also, another option is to simply open a window if you happen to have one nearby.

Cleaning Your Hot Tub Regularly

Simply maintaining your hot tub regularly can lead to longer life and better performance from the unit itself. The frequency will depend on the model, the weather, and usage, but try to clean it out at least once a month. If you’re using it more regularly, bi-weekly might be better.

Clear the filter during that cleaning and make sure to change it annually. Also, don’t forget about your hot tub cover and make sure it’s nice and clean for optimal performance and presentation.

Maintaining the hot tub in this way will extend its life and ensure you can get the most out of your purchase.

Hot Tub Safety With Aqua Paradise

As you can see, hot tub safety is something to take very seriously. For this reason, you must purchase your hot tub from a reputable dealer.

At Jacuzzi Outdoor Living, we pride ourselves on our outstanding quality and artistry backed up by the best customer service in the industry.

We follow strict product testing procedures to ensure that our hot tubs are safe, fun, and durable. So when you’re ready for a new spa, sauna, or swim spa in Orange County, California, come by Aqua Paradise or contact us today!

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