After a long day at work or a hard workout, nothing relaxes the body like a soak in a hot tub. However, there are some hot tub safety concerns that you should keep in mind. Read on to find out what to do and what not to do!
Did you just get in the tub, and someone is at the door, but you can't hear them? Using the Guardline Wireless Doorbells can help you hear there is someone there even in the back of the house!
Is the neighbor sneaking in to use the tub while you are away? Keep a close eye on the hot tub's surroundings with Guardline's Wireless Driveway Alarm positioned so that you know when someone comes too close to the tub!
Are hot tubs good for you?
For healthy adults, hot tubs have many benefits. A soak in the hot tub can relieve pain from arthritis, loosen tight muscles, and reduce swelling. However, there are times when you should not be in a hot tub. Read on to find out who shouldn't be in one and how to increase your hot tub safety!
What are the dangers of hot tubs?
The dangers of a hot tub extend beyond the medical infections, drops in blood pressure, skin irritations, and pregnancy-related issues. Where there is water and electricity, there will always be a danger.
The very first thing that needs to be addressed before installing a hot tub is where it is going to be. Hot tubs are heavy and get heavier when filled with water. You will need a place that is:
- Able to hold the hot tub
- Is safe to walk on
- Close to a water source
- Wired professionally
Placing a hot tub on an uneven surface, an improper deck, or even on the muddy ground can lead to the tub falling, slipping, and other injuries from the unstable area.
The area around the tub will most likely be getting wet from splashing and getting in and out. The hot tub will need to have safety devices installed to prevent slipping while getting out. The area around the tub will need to have ample grip to prevent slipping on the wet ground.
Have your hot tub installed by a professional, otherwise, you may be risking your own life with improper wiring. Check for damages in and around the hot tub before turning it on and getting in to prevent any accidental electrocution. Never swim during an electrical storm, lightning is attracted to water!
The area where the hot tub is located should be treated as a pool. It should be gated against small children and have a top that prevents children from getting in the hot tub without supervision. Aside from the risk of drowning, there are other risks to small children.
Small children, under five years old, still have thin skin and can not regulate their body temperature enough to be in a hot tub without the risk of overheating. Skin irritation is the next concern with the harsh chemicals. Finally, children can be exposed to infections their immune system can not fight off as well as an adult can.
How hot should a hot tub be?
Heat is the main reason hot tubs are popular. How much heat is too much though? Most people like to superheat their tub up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. While that is sure to raise your temperature and get your blood flowing, it is not recommended for very long.
To determine the best temperature for your individual needs:
- Begin with your body temperature
- Gradually increase the heat allowing time for adjustment
- Cease increasing the temperature and decrease it if you experience any uncomfortable side effects
If you begin to experience any dizziness, inability to cool down, or drowsiness, exit the hot tub and cool off in a warm shower. Never jump from a hot tub into a cold pool or shower as it will shock your body.
How long can you stay in a hot tub?
It may be tempting to crack open a bottle of wine, turn on the tv, and sit back enjoying the hot water for hours on end, but it's not healthy. Follow the hot tub safety tips to gain the most out of your hot tub experience. The maximum amount of time you should spend in the hot water is about 30 minutes per session. You can gain benefits from a short 10-minute session!
If you decide to stay longer in the hot tub, lower the temperature down to at least your body temperature. However, you are still at risk of developing negative symptoms of increased blood flow and heart rate. Get out and cool off if you experience dizziness, nausea, headache, or lightheadedness.
Keep watch for symptoms of overheating like:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Increased thirst
- Trouble breathing
- Headache
- Slurred speech
Staying in your hot tub for longer than 30 minutes increases the risk of dehydration, heat sickness, and even heat stroke. Drinking a cool non-alcoholic drink while in the hot tub helps alleviate some risks.
Who shouldn't get in a hot tub?
Open wounds, heart conditions, and pregnancy are among the top reasons to not be in a hot tub. There are simple reasons behind each condition which affects not only your health but can affect others' health as well.
A hot tub is usually the perfect temperature to breed germs. Soaking in a hot tub with a good chlorine content may seem like a good idea, but you risk increasing your infection rate and infection of others. Chlorine is not made to kill everything, so keep out of the water when you have an infection or an open wound. Â
Hot tub safety is important for those with heart conditions to learn. The heat opens blood vessels to profuse the body with more blood and oxygen in an attempt to cool down. This can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate! Consult your physician to see if a hot tub soak would be more dangerous than beneficial.
Can you get in a hot tub while pregnant?
Getting into a hot tub while pregnant carries a risk to both you and your baby. Overheating for prolonged periods of time, frequently, can attribute to certain birth defects and unclean water can lead to infections. If you choose to use the hot tub while pregnant, lower the temperature of the water.
Protect your baby by checking these hot tub safety tips before getting in:
- Check with your physician before using a hot tub
- Check the chlorine levels before you get in
- Use the lowest temperature
- Do not soak more than 10 minutes at a time
- Never enter the hot tub after entering active labor
How do I make my hot tub safe?
As the homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of anyone who is going to be near or in the hot tub on your property. This includes guests and family members as well as yourself! Install and use some safety tips below to make your experience the best there is to have!
First, have a professional install the hot tub wiring. Triple check the breakers and wiring before turning on the unit to ensure there is no damage that can cause an electrocution risk. If there are any loose wires, damaged wires, or anything that looks off, contact a professional to have it evaluated and repaired before use. Keep the breaker off until they arrive.
Never use an extension cord near a pool or hot tub. Water can get into the cord and cause a short or the device can accidentally drop in the water causing electrocution. It is far more preferable to use battery-operated gear that is waterproof in or near the hot tub. However, to completely eliminate the risk, do not use electronics near the water at all.
Hot Tub Safety Tips
The safety of the hot tub itself needs to be inspected before each use. Follow this walkthrough to check off the hot tub safety tips list before each use.
Hot Tub Safety Tips Checklist:
- Look for broken or missing valve covers
- Check for cracks or breaks in the tub inside and out
- Ensure the electrical equipment is dry and out of water's reach
- Check the temperature for correct settings
- Check the chlorine levels and adjust as needed
- Ensure the steps and area around the hot tub is clear from electrical cords and is slip-resistant
Water Safety
The water needs to be meticulously maintained to prevent any bacteria from growing and causing sickness. You may have to wait anywhere between 20 minutes and 24 hours before the hot tub will be available after correcting the chemical levels.
It is very important to maintain both the chemical composition of the water and the physical attributes of the hot tub. Doing so will help keep you healthy and alive!
Children's Safety
For children's hot tub safety only those over five may enjoy the hot tub. Limit the time to no more than 10 minutes. To increase their safety, children should have very limited access to the hot tub area. Climbing on the tub should not be allowed, because slipping and falling are very large potentially life-threatening risks.
To prevent accidental drowning and being trapped inside the hot tub, install either an automatic cover or a manual cover with child locks to prevent children from having access to the hot tub water without an adult present. Pair this with a fenced-in area with high locks where children will be unable to reach.
Keep any controls out of children's reach as well. Inattentiveness can allow children to accidentally raise the temperature in the hot tub to dangerous levels. Be aware of where small children are at all times when using a hot tub.
Prevent Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are among the most common causes of injury and can be easily prevented with the proper hot tub safety device installations. Prevent slipping while getting to the hot tub by installing anti-slip flooring around the area and wearing proper footwear to the steps.
Install manufacturer-recommended steps that are slip-resistant, the proper height, and are attached securely to the top of the hot tub and the ground.
Having the proper railing to get in and out of the hot tub is essential, especially for those with limited mobility. Ensure there is enough grip, not only on the outer steps but on the steps of the hot tub itself. It would be beneficial to install grips to the bottom of the hot tub to prevent slipping while moving around the tub.
Drinking Safety
As appealing as it is to have a cool glass of wine or a beer while enjoying the hot tub, it may not be in your best interest. Drinking while in the hot tub can cause increased:
- Effects of alcohol
- Dehydration
- Risk of heatstroke
- Risk of alcohol poisoning
Depending on how much you drink, you can increase the risk of slipping and falling, and in some cases passing out and drowning. Be safe about how you drink and wait until you get out of the hot water and cool down.Â
Protect the Area
Without the proper hot tub safety monitoring devices even the neighborhood cat or your dog can be in trouble if they get into the hot tub and can't get out. After installing a fence around the pool and hot tub area, you can install a motion detector to let you know when anything comes close to the area.
Installing a motion detection device will increase your hot tub safety. Not only that but it could help save your child's life, a dog, or may let you know that your neighbor is in your hot tub! Guardline has motion detectors that are built to last and work well outdoors!
How Guardline Helps With Your Hot Tub Safety
Trust in Guardline to alert you to movement in your driveway, around your pool or hot tub, and whenever someone is at the door. The motion sensors are built with years of experience poured into their design and made for outdoor prolonged use. Â
With a sixty-day trial, free shipping, and 100% money-back guarantee, there is very little reason not to try the Guardline doorbell and motion sensor line! Rely on our products to let you know when someone is coming into your long driveway, or someone accesses your pool area uninvited! Check out more safety topics in the Guardline Blog!
