Having a hot tub is wonderful for relaxing after a stressful day, and it can be a great centerpiece for parties and family get-togethers as well. However, as with any good thing, it is important to set a couple of rules for yourself and for others to help keep them safe and healthy while using the tub. Here are five things that you and your guests should avoid when using the hot tub.
Avoid Alcohol
Although soaking in the hot tub with a large glass of wine or an indulgent cocktail may sound like the height of relaxation, it isn’t a safe hot-tubbing practice. Alcohol is a diuretic which means that, rather than hydrating you, it can actually strip your body of water. The hot water can be dehydrating, and both of these together can be very harmful. Alcohol can also raise the temperature of your body even more leading to heat exhaustion.
Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and over-relaxation can all cause you to lose consciousness which is dangerous while in a hot tub. Not only this but having glass of any type, whether from a wine glass or a beer bottle, near the hot tub is a bad idea as the clean-up for glass in the hot tub is tedious. It is best to avoid alcohol in the spa altogether, but if you must drink, be sure to stay hydrated, don’t soak for too long, and always use plastic cups instead of glass.
Avoid Letting Pets Use the Hot Tub
It may be tempting to invite your furry friend into the hot tub with you. However, hot tubs are not good for animals like they are for humans. Dogs cannot sweat like humans, so exposing them to the hot temperatures can cause them to become sick. The animal hair can also clog filters in the spa. Finally, anything that is in your pet’s fur before the soak will end up in the water with you which can be unsanitary and lead to skin irritations or illness.
Avoid Letting Children Play Unattended
Letting children play unattended in any body of water is simply not safe. Although hot tubs are generally considered safe for supervised children, they can overheat quicker than adults. Extra precautions should be taken when children are soaking in the tub such as keeping spa water less than 104°F and installing special drain covers to prevent hair entanglements. Even with these measures in place, children should always be supervised and should not soak longer than 15 minutes at a time.
Avoid Soaking During a Storm
Hot tubbing in the rain or the snow can be both safe and extremely relaxing. The cool droplets on your face and shoulders can help to balance out the heat, and the sound of the raindrops on the water can add to the peaceful ambience. However, it is not safe to use the tub at any time before, during, or directly after a thunderstorm. Water attracts lightning and it can strike the water, causing electrocution.
Avoid Using Bubble Bath
Putting bubble bath in the hot tub is extremely tempting because bubbles and foam will rise high into the air from the power of the jets. However, the fun will be short-lived compared with the extensive clean up that you will have to endure afterward. The hot tub will have to be drained and cleaned and the bubbles can cause expensive damages. The same is true for shampoos or other soap. It is always a good idea to take a shower before using the hot tub to wash any soaps, lotions, or perfumes off of your body.
Your hot tub should always be used in accordance with your manufacturer’s guide. Certain practices that may seem harmless can actually be dangerous for you, your family, and your pets. Not only this, but you can cause damage to your hot tub by not using it correctly. Avoid these five things and follow manufacturer guidelines for a safe and relaxing hot tub experience
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Originally Posted on: 5 Things to Avoid for Hot Tub Safety
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