Hot tubs are fun for the whole family. While they’re relaxing places for parents to unwind after long workdays, they’re also designed to be a place where you can enjoy quality time with your entire family, including younger children. It’s always a rite of passage for younger kids to enjoy fun in backyard pools and spas and all the safety steps that come with it.
Children should always be supervised while using any sort of pool or spa in the home, but there are some additional safety tips worth following.
From how old children should be before they’re introduced to the spa to the most common accident or injuries that arise from unsupervised, and unsafe hot tub use by children. Your kids can have fun in the hot tub, but some rules need to be set down clearly and need to be followed. We’ve outlined some of the most important safety tips to keep in mind while introducing our kids to supervised hot tub use.
Below are some important tips and facts about hot tub use for kids that can help keep your kids safe while they’re having fun.
Age
The age at which a child should first start using a hot tub is not as important as the physical size of your child. Infants should never be exposed to a hot tub because they are prone to overheating. Toddlers should only be allowed to use a hot tub if they can safely stand, touching the bottom, with their head and shoulders above the water comfortably. Even at this height, children should not use the hot tub for more than 5 minutes at a time and should never submerge their body fully.
Temperature
One of the most common issues that comes from hot tub use is overheating because the tub is too hot. These injuries and deaths usually occur at the temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. The ideal temperature for a hot tub is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is still very hot. At this temperature children should not use a hot tub for more than 5 minutes at a time. If you drop the temperature down to around 98 degrees Fahrenheit, then this can allow for longer time in the water (no more than 15 minutes).
Good Practices
Other practices to employee for children’s safety while suing the hot tub are making sure they (and yourself) are drinking water while using the hot tub to prevent dehydration and light headedness. Have the hot tub inspected regularly to keep up to date with all modern safety regulations (fencing, safety latches, etc.) as well as keep an eye on potential chemical imbalances in the tub and any underlying issues. Never allow a child to use the hot tub unsupervised and be aware of neighbor’s and friend’s hot tubs as well.
Related Questions
What Is the Most Common Hazard of a Hot Tub?
It will come as no surprise that drowning is the number one cause of injury or death when it comes to hot tubs. But, an added factor in hot tubs is the heat at which the water sits which can be extremely dangerous even at seemingly low temperatures. Knowing the limits will give you peace of mind.
What Are the Dangers of Submerging Your Head?
No one should ever submerge their head in a hot tub. In addition to the danger this poses because of the heat of the water, several incidents have been documented where people have drowned as a result of their hair being sucked into the filter. While more modern safety precautions have been put into place to better prevent this, it is still a real danger.
Always supervise your children to have the best possible time with your home spa and hot tub!
LeisureTime Warehouse is an experienced, reputable supplier of American made innovative water products including luxury brand hot tubs and swim spas by Master Spas. We are located in the greater Cleveland area and would love for you to visit and browse our amazing products such as the Michael Phelps Legend Series hot tub or the H2X swim spa. Call us for a Free Estimate and ask about our Special Deals!