Hot tubs are great for bringing the family together for a time of relaxation and fun. Any time your children are in the spa, it’s important to be mindful of their safety in order to keep the fun
going. We’ve listed some of the most important factors to keep in mind to ensure your children’s safety in the water.
Age
A generally accepted rule is that children younger than five years old should not use hot tubs. However, we recommend that parents wait until their children are 10 years old to allow them to use the spa. It’s important to make sure that your child can stand on the bottom of the tub with their head sticking out of the water.
Otherwise, you should wait until they are older to let them into the hot tub.
Water Temperature
Children’s bodies are much more sensitive to heat than adults’ bodies are. Before your child enters the hot tub, lower the temperature to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow your child to move around in the hot tub without overheating.
Then, slowly introduce them to the water, so that they have time to adjust to the temperature change. Every five to 10 minutes, take your child out of the spa for a drink of water so that they stay hydrated and their body gets a break from the heat.
Supervision
A responsible adult should be supervising a child when they are in the hot tub at all times. We recommend that you always keep your children at an arm’s length, so that if anything happens, you can react immediately to help.
Not only does this ensure greater safety for your child, but it also allows for some good quality time between you and your child. Playing with your children in the hot tub is much more fun than sitting in front of a TV with them.
Teach Your Children Hot Tub Safety Basics
It’s important that children know some basics about hot tub safety so that they can better stay out of harm’s way. Here’s a short list of things you should go over with your children before they start using the hot tub:
- Don’t submerge your head under water this increases the risk of an ear infection.
- No running around or horseplay in the hot tub area.
- Stay away from the drain because hair or clothes can get stuck in it.
- Don’t use any electronics in or around the hot tub.
If your children follow these very simple rules, they will have a much safer time in the tub. You should also make sure that they know how to turn off all of the power to the hot tub in case there is an emergency.
Clean Water
Keeping your water clean ensures that it is as safe for your children as possible. Luckily, this is easy to do. The first and most regular step you should take is to use testing strips to
check the chemical levels in your water. Do this every three to four days, and add chemicals as needed.
It’s also important to clean out your filters at least once a month, and replace them once a year. Finally, we recommend draining your hot tub and doing a thorough cleaning of its shell every four to six months, depending on how much you use it. Once you’re done with that, you can refill the tub with fresh, clean water.
Preparation
You can prevent accidents from happening by thinking ahead and preparing for your children’s time in the spa. Before your children enter the hot tub, put down slip resistant mats or towels around your hot tub to make sure that your children don’t slip on wet pathways. You should also make sure that your hot tub has federally-compliant drain covers installed.
Unfortunately, even with preparation, accidents can still happen. Because of this, it’s a good idea to take a CPR class if you have a spa or pool in your backyard. These classes are inexpensive and
are offered in most cities. It’s also important that you know how to turn off all of the power to the hot tub in case of emergency, and that you have a first aid kit somewhere near the spa.
Cover Your Tub
When you and your children aren’t using the hot tub, it’s important to keep it secured so that your child doesn’t use it without your supervision. The easiest way to do this is to have a spa cover
with a lock system. ThermoSpas sells a variety of childproof hot tub covers, which feature our tough Cam-Lock straps and spa cover lock system. This type of cover is sure to keep unsupervised children out of the hot tub.
Following these tips will ensure that you and your children will have a fun and safe time in your spa for years to come. When in doubt, always remember: it’s better to be safe than sorry! If you
would like any more information about child safety or hot tub safety in general, feel free to contact ThermoSpas today.
