Tips For Keeping Kids Safe In Your Hot Tub

Max Piggott

Hot Tub Safety Tips for Kids

Hot tubs can be a great way for families to relax, but ensuring the safety of children around and in the hot tub is essential. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your hot tub while keeping kids safe.

1. Set Age Limits

  • Supervised Use Only: Children under the age of 5 should not use hot tubs. Young kids are more susceptible to overheating and dehydration.
  • Age-Appropriate Use: For children older than 5, ensure they can touch the bottom of the tub comfortably and follow safety instructions.

2. Supervision is Key

  • Always Watch: Never allow children to use the hot tub unsupervised. An adult should always be present to monitor them.
  • Be Within Arm’s Reach: For younger children, stay close enough to provide immediate assistance if needed.

3. Temperature Control

  • Set a Safe Temperature: The maximum safe temperature for children in a hot tub is 36°C (97°F), in line with BISHTA guidance for under-12s. Higher temperatures can cause overheating and dehydration.
  • Limit Time: Children should spend no more than 10–15 minutes in the hot tub at a time to prevent overheating.

4. Establish Hot Tub Rules

  • No Diving or Jumping: Hot tubs are shallow and can cause injuries if children dive or jump into them.
  • No Rough Play: Ensure kids understand the importance of calm behavior to avoid accidents.
  • Stay Hydrated: Encourage children to drink water before and after using the hot tub.

5. Teach Safety Basics

  • Emergency Procedures: Teach children what to do in case of an emergency, such as calling for help or getting out of the tub.
  • Avoid Drains: Explain the dangers of drains and suction fittings, which can trap hair or clothing. Ensure all drain covers meet modern safety standards.

6. Secure the Hot Tub

  • Use a Lockable Cover: Always secure the hot tub with a lockable cover when not in use to prevent unsupervised access.
  • Fencing and Alarms: Install a fence or gate with a locking mechanism around the hot tub area. Consider using a pool alarm for added security.

7. Maintain Water Quality

  • Regular Testing: Test the water regularly to ensure proper chemical balance and avoid skin irritation or infections.
  • Sanitization: Keep the hot tub clean and free from bacteria or algae that could harm children’s sensitive skin.

8. Health Considerations

  • Avoid Use When Ill: Children with open wounds, infections, or illnesses should not use the hot tub.
  • Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for signs of overheating, such as flushed skin, dizziness, or nausea, and remove the child from the hot tub immediately if they occur.

9. Lead by Example

  • Demonstrate Safety: Show children how to enter and exit the hot tub carefully, follow the rules, and practice good hygiene, like rinsing off before and after use.

Age guide at a glance

Guidance varies slightly between sources. The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) reports medical advice that children under four should not use a hot tub and suggests about 36°C for children under 12. We take the cautious line of keeping under-fives out altogether:

Age In the tub? Water temperature Session length Supervision
Under 5 No Not applicable Not applicable Keep them away from the tub and steps
5 to 11 Yes, if they can sit with their feet on the floor and head well above water About 36°C Short, no more than 10 to 15 minutes Adult in the tub or within arm's reach
12 and over Yes No higher than 37°C when children are in Up to 15 minutes, then a break Adult present at all times

Lower the temperature before children get in rather than while they are in the water, and let it settle. A child sitting in 40°C water heats up much faster than an adult.

Supervision rules that work

Rules are easier to keep when everyone knows them before the cover comes off. Agree them as a family and stick them up near the back door:

  1. No child goes near the tub without a named adult watching. Not a teenager, not a neighbour over the fence, a named adult.
  2. The supervising adult puts their phone away and does not drink alcohol while children are in the water.
  3. Children get in and out using the step, slowly, one at a time.
  4. Heads stay above the water. BISHTA advises that nobody should put their head under the water in a hot tub.
  5. Long hair is tied up, and nobody plays with the suction fittings or the filter area.
  6. Everyone gets out at once if an adult says so, without arguing.
  7. When the soak is over, the cover goes back on and is locked before the adult goes inside.

Signs a child is getting too hot

The NHS notes that children are more at risk of heat exhaustion, and that its signs include tiredness, dizziness, headache, feeling sick, heavy sweating with pale, clammy skin and being very thirsty. In the hot tub, watch for:

  • red or very flushed cheeks
  • a child going quiet, floppy or unusually grumpy
  • saying they feel hot, sick or dizzy
  • wanting to sit up on the edge

Get them out, move them somewhere cool and give them water. The NHS advises that they should feel better within 30 minutes. If they do not, or they become confused or have hot skin that is not sweating, call 999.

Locking the tub when it is not in use

An unlocked hot tub is the biggest risk to young children in a garden. Our hard covers come with safety straps and locking keys. To make them work:

  • Clip and lock every strap each time, not just at night.
  • Keep the keys somewhere children cannot reach, and away from the tub itself.
  • Check the straps, clips and handles monthly and replace anything worn or split.
  • Never leave a cover half on or folded back over the tub. Children can climb onto it.
  • Keep the step away from the tub when it is not in use so it is harder to climb up.
  • Clear standing water and snow off the cover, as a heavy cover can sag and stop the straps sitting properly.

A cover lifter makes it easier for one adult to open and close the cover fully every time. Our guide on caring for your hot tub cover helps keep the cover and its straps in good condition.

Around the tub

  • Fencing and gates: a self-latching gate around the tub area keeps toddlers out even if someone forgets the cover.
  • Surfaces: wet paving and decking get slippery. Keep the area clear of toys and lay a non-slip mat by the step.
  • Electrics: keep the power cable and socket protected and out of reach. Test the RCD with its test button as your manual describes.
  • Chemicals: store them locked away in their original containers, well out of reach. Add chemicals only when children are inside.
  • Glass: plastic cups only around the tub. On Bonfire Night, keep sparklers well away from the spa as well; our Bonfire Night hot tub guide has the details.

Teaching older children

Older children and teenagers often want to use the tub with friends. Before you allow that, walk them through the basics: how to check the temperature on the panel, why heads stay above water, what heat exhaustion feels like and how to put the cover back on and lock it. Make it clear that nobody uses the tub when the house is empty, and that the keys stay with an adult. Having friends round is a good time to remind everyone of the rules, because excitement makes it easy to forget them.

Water quality for young skin

Children's skin can be more sensitive to poorly balanced water. Test before family sessions with test strips, keep pH at 7.2 to 7.6 and free chlorine at 1.0 to 1.5 ppm, and ask everyone to shower before getting in. Rinse children off afterwards too.

Kids and hot tubs FAQs

At what age can a child go in a hot tub?

We recommend keeping under-fives out. BISHTA reports medical advice that under-fours should not use a hot tub at all.

What temperature should the water be for children?

No higher than 36°C for children under 12, in line with BISHTA guidance.

How long can children stay in?

Keep it short, no more than 10 to 15 minutes, then a break out of the water.

Can children use the jets?

Yes, with care. Keep them away from the suction fittings and filter area, and make sure long hair is tied up.

Do I need a fence if I have a lockable cover?

A locked cover is the main barrier, but a self-latching gate adds a second layer of protection for toddlers.

By following these safety tips, you can create a safe and enjoyable hot tub experience for the entire family. Remember, safety starts with preparation and vigilant supervision.

Choosing a hot tub?

Compare our hot tubs and swim spas, or visit our showroom near Gatwick.

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