Hot tubs are a great way for families to relax and spend time together! As much fun as a hot tub can be, when using a spa with children, safety should always be your number one priority. While hot tubs can be a fun and relaxing activity, they can also pose a potential risk to children if not handled with care.
If you’re the proud owner of a hot tub or are thinking of buying one, this blog has some tips and advice to help make sure you get the most out of your hot tub. If you want to safely use your hot tub to spend some quality time with your family, here are a few tips you can follow to make sure your family is staying safe in and around your hot tub:
- Never Leave Children Unattended
This one might seem pretty self-explanatory, but you really can’t emphasise this point enough. No matter what body of water you’re near, be it a hot tub, swimming pool, lake, ocean, even the bath, you should never leave your children unattended.
It only takes a minute for an accident to happen. When using a hot tub, ensure that there is at least one responsible adult present at all times to ensure the children are using the hot tub safely, and are ready to intervene should an incident occur.
- No Kids Under 5
Specialists recommend that no infants under the age of 5 be allowed into a hot tub, for their own safety and those around them. At such a young age, they may be very sensitive to the extreme temperatures of the hot tub water and easily overheat.
- Temperature Control
When using a hot tub with children, it’s generally recommended that the water be set to a temperature of around 35 degrees, and absolutely no higher than 40 degrees, to ensure that they do not overheat.
- Take Breaks
We know that the hot tub is really fun, but taking regular breaks is a great way to avoid overheating. Establish a time limit early on, and if necessary, set reminders on a timer to make sure that breaks are being taken. The regularity of breaks depends on a number of factors including the age of your children and the temperature of the water. Generally, we’d recommend taking a break every 20 minutes or so.
- Stay Hydrated
Sitting in water can make it difficult to tell but you’re likely sweating from the heat of the hot tub, which can leave you dehydrated quicker than you might think! Keep water on hand and take regular sips – and ensure everyone else is too!
- Keep Hot Tub Covered
When your hot tub isn’t in use, always keep it covered! Not only does this reduce the risk of one of your children accidentally falling in or being tempted to mess around with it, but it also helps keep the water clear from any debris that may otherwise fall in. When hot tub water becomes dirty, it can become a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria; hot tub covers are a great way to prevent this.
- Keep Water Clean
Leading on nicely from the previous point, keeping your hot tub water clean is essential for the health of those using the hot tub, children and adults alike. There are many guides available online detailing how to keep your hot tub clean, how to properly drain and refill, and to help you determine what cleaning products are best for you and your family. Specialist suppliers such as Watson’s opening pool chemicals, will help you explore the options for keeping your pool clean, killing bacteria and algae, as well as being the right PH.
Make sure you’re well versed in the cleaning requirements of your hot tub, and stay on top of your cleaning schedule. While leaving your hot tub for another few days might not seem like a big deal, the longer you leave your hot tub in between cleanings increases the chances that unwanted bacteria is growing.
- Establish Set Rules
Communicate clearly with your kids that, yes, the hot tub is very fun to use and they should enjoy their time in it, but it can also be very dangerous. They are not to enter the hot tub when no adults are around, no trying to lift the hot tub cover by themselves, no messing around with the hot tub controls, et cetera.
And there we have it! I know all of these rules can seem intimidating, but when it comes to child safety it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Hot tubs can be fantastic fun for loved ones of all ages, you just need to know how to make the most of your spa safely!
Now that we’ve gone over those rules, there’s only one thing left to do – get in your swimming costume and jump in!
No Comments