Hot tub safety

Please take proper safety precautions around the your hot tub in order to prevent accidents, especially if you have children.

Safe location

Do not locate your spa underneath any overhanging wires and keep it clear of any electrical appliances.

Try to position your spa away from any overhanging trees as small debris (such as pine needles) can become lodged inside the jets, causing damage to the equipment.

Take extra care around your hot tub as these areas can become wet and slippy.

Electrical installation

IMPORTANT: The electrical wiring of a hot tub must meet the requirements of any applicable local codes. The electrical circuit must be installed by a qualified electrician.

Your hot tub must be permanently connected (hard wired) to the power supply (except for plug and play spas). No plug-in connections or extension cords are to be used in conjunction with the operation of the spa.

The electrical circuit supplied for the hot tub must include a suitable Residual Circuit Device (RCD) having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA.

If that RCD ever trips, our hot tub RCD tripping checklist covers the safe next steps.

Ensure all electrical wiring from the power supply is securely fed to the hot tub. Feed the supply power cable through the side of the spa or from underneath the unit. Use the appropriate cable gland to secure the power supply to avoid an injury or tripping hazard.

Accessibly to children

You should be able to monitor the use of the spa from the home to prevent unauthorised use by children; you may want to enclose the spa with a fence or a self latching gate to prevent unauthorised use.

Do not allow children or anyone to jump into a spa as this could cause injury or damage your spa.

Hot tub cover

In gardens, children are often oblivious of things around them and can lose sight of safety precautions. A good hot tub cover will prevent accidents around water. Make sure your hot tub has a cover on at all times when not being used. Our covers have carry handles and safety straps with locking keys Take a look at our line of hot tub covers to find one that works for you.

Dehydration

Watch children in hot tubs. Unlike adults, children cannot handle long periods of heat. Their small bodies overheat quickly, even if they do not show obvious signs of over heating.

When in the hot tub with your kids, keep track of time and make sure they take breaks from the hot water. Give them plenty of water to drink in order to prevent dehydration.

Chemicals

Disinfecting your spa water means killing the harmful bacteria and keeping the water clean.

• Always add chemicals to water never add water to chemicals.
• If you are on medication consult a doctor before using the spa.
• You shouldn't use a hot tub while pregnant, and small children should use caution because of the high water temperatures.
• Ensure all chemicals are locked away when not in use

Safe water temperature

The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) advises never using a hot tub above 40°C, and notes that many people are more comfortable nearer body temperature. Its temperature guidance is a sensible starting point for any household:

Our tubs can be set anywhere from 26°C to 40°C. If several people share the tub, set it for the youngest or most heat-sensitive person in the group rather than the person who likes it hottest.

How long to stay in

BISHTA recommends a maximum of 15 minutes before taking a break, with water to drink in non-glass containers. Our guide on how long to stay in a hot tub goes into more detail by temperature and age. The short version:

• Start with short soaks and build up as you learn how your body responds.
• The hotter the water, the shorter the session should be.
• Get out, sit somewhere cool and have a drink of water if you feel dizzy, light-headed, sick or unusually tired.
• Set a timer on your phone, kept well away from the water, if you tend to lose track.

Alcohol and medication

Hot water and alcohol are a poor mix. Warm water relaxes you, alcohol makes you drowsy, and both can leave you dehydrated, which raises the chance of feeling faint or slipping on the way out. The NHS sets out the wider risks of drinking too much. Our advice is simple: if you have been drinking, give the tub a miss, and never let anyone soak alone after drinking. Planning a soak on Bonfire Night? Our guide to using your hot tub on Bonfire Night covers fireworks, sparklers and the clean-up the next morning.

Some medicines can affect blood pressure, heart rate or alertness. If you take regular medication, or have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, diabetes or another long-term condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before you use a hot tub.

Pregnancy

You shouldn't use a hot tub while pregnant. NHS guidance, as published by NHS GP practices, explains that a hot tub raises your core temperature, bringing a risk of overheating, dehydration and fainting, and that a significant rise in core temperature could be harmful, particularly in the first 12 weeks. Some hot tubs can reach 40°C.

Children around the tub

The earlier sections cover fencing, supervision and the cover. A few further house rules work well for families:

1. An adult is always in the tub or within arm's reach when children are in it.
2. No heads under the water. BISHTA advises that bathers should never put their heads under water in a hot tub.
3. No playing near the suction fittings or the filter housing.
4. Children get out at the first sign of red cheeks, tiredness or grumbling about the heat.
5. The cover goes back on and the safety straps are locked as soon as everyone is out.

A cover lifter makes it easier for one adult to open and close the cover properly every time, so it is less tempting to leave it half on.

Keeping the water hygienic

The Health and Safety Executive's guidance on spa pools, HSG282, explains that the warm, agitated water in a hot tub sits in the temperature range where legionella and other bacteria can grow. That is why sanitiser levels matter. At home:

• Test the water with test strips before each use when the tub is busy, and at least a few times a week otherwise.
• Keep pH at 7.2 to 7.6, total alkalinity at 80 to 120 ppm and free chlorine at 1.0 to 1.5 ppm.
• Shower before you get in, and ask guests to do the same.
• Change the water every three to four months.
• Keep chemicals in their original containers, locked away and out of reach of children. Our essential chemicals range covers everything you need.

Getting in and out safely

Slipping is one of the most common risks around any hot tub. Wet feet on a smooth step or a damp patio are the main hazard, especially after dark. A few habits help:

• Use a sturdy step with a flat tread, placed on level ground, rather than climbing over the cabinet. Our spa accessories include steps sized for our tubs.
• Keep a towel and footwear within reach so nobody walks barefoot across wet paving to the house.
• Leave the footwell light on until the last person is out.
• Sit on the edge and swing your legs over rather than stepping straight down into the footwell.

Quick safety checklist

Hot tub safety FAQs

What is the maximum safe hot tub temperature?

BISHTA advises never using a hot tub above 40°C. The temperature range on our tubs tops out at 40°C, and most people find 37°C to 38°C comfortable for a longer soak.

Can children use a hot tub?

Children over four can, with an adult supervising, cooler water of about 36°C and shorter sessions. BISHTA reports medical advice that children under four should not use one.

Can I use a hot tub when pregnant?

No. You shouldn't use a hot tub while pregnant.

Is it safe to use a hot tub after a drink?

We advise against it. Alcohol and hot water together can make you drowsy and dehydrated.

Who can help if something looks wrong with my tub?

Switch it off at the isolator and call our team on 01293 824094.

Finally

Hot water is an ideal medium for spreading infection. People with open wounds should not use the hot tub.

ALWAYS ENTER AND LEAVE THE HOT TUB WITH CAUTION.