A hot tub is a great investment, but do you know all the safety involved in owning one?
There are many aspects of health and safety to consider when buying a hot tub, including installation, getting it ready to use, keeping up its maintenance and ensuring the safety of yourself and your bathers.
We’ve put together this guide covering everything you need to know about hot tub safety to make sure you don’t put yourself or others at risk.
Let’s make a start.
Hot tub installation
Installing your hot tub can be tricky to do by yourself, so we offer a full installation service using our own hot tub fitting specialists. Our fitters use specialist equipment such as trailers and cranes to transport and move your hot tub, a spa dolly to load and unload it, and a spa wedge to help lift it. This is covered in a site survey risk assessment that we’ll conduct before your installation.
Careful consideration needs to be taken as to where you want to install your hot tub; it’s heavy and will require a strong, solid, level base to hold the hot tub when filled with water and bathers.
It’s best to leave the job of electrical wiring to a professional; read more in our hot tub electrical guidelines.
Making sure your hot tub is safe
Before getting into your hot tub, you need to ensure that it’s safe. As the owner, you’re responsible for the maintenance, water quality and overall safety of your hot tub.
Before each use, you’ll need to check sanitiser levels to keep the water safe and clean; if levels are low, you can add either chlorine or bromine. PH and Total Alkalinity (TA) levels also need to be checked, which can be adjusted using the proper chemicals.
We have a hot tub chemicals guide where you can learn more about the chemicals you need to maintain a clean, healthy and safe environment for you and your bathers to use.
We also recommend you get it serviced regularly, as this checks for early warning signs that a part may need replacing. It also ensures your hot tub stays in top condition. Find out more about our hot tub servicing.
Temperature
For safety measures, most hot tubs can be set as low as 26⁰C and have a maximum temperature of 40⁰C. Any hotter than 40⁰C can raise a bather’s temperature and cause light-headedness or even passing out.
We recommend starting with your own body temperature. Average normal body temperature is 37⁰C, which is one degree lower than most hot tub factory settings at 38⁰C and it’ll drop naturally when people enter the water.
Find out more about hot tub temperature in our hot tub temperature guide.
Importance of chemicals
Using your hot tub without the addition of chemicals can be extremely dangerous. Bacteria generally grows at temperatures between 25⁰ and 40⁰C, ironically the same temperature range as your hot tub.
Hot tub chemicals, like chlorine help maintain the cleanliness and safety of the water for bathers. Your water, without chemicals could turn green within a matter of hours, which is risky too. Find out more here - What to do if your hot tub water in cloudy, foamy or green
If you’re unsure about chlorine or are unable to use it because your skin is sensitive, an alternative option is bromine, which is kinder to the skin. It’s efficiency at higher temperatures makes it appealing to use too. If you're not keen on chemical odours, you could also look into oxygen sanitisers, which are also suited for sensitive skin.
Entering your hot tub after adding chemicals
It could be from 20 minutes to 24 hours as it depends on the type of chemicals you use and the amount you’ve put in.
If you get into the water too soon, you could put yourself at risk of skin irritation.
You need ensure that all chemicals are dissolved if you’re using granules and that they’re at a safe level before entering. Testing your water determines if it is safe enough will ensure chlorine levels are safe. If you’ve used a non-chlorine treatment, you can generally get in around 20 minutes after adding.
User safety guidelines
As soon as your hot tub has reached the desired temperature, the water's sanitiser levels are safe, clean, and ready to enter. Next to consider is the safety of yourself and others whilst using the hot tub. Some general health and safety rules should be followed.Hygiene
Hygiene is a top priority when using your hot tub because if the water isn’t maintained regularly, you could put yourself and users at risk of infection.
To keep water free of germs and body products such as lotions and perfume, you should always shower or bathe before getting in. We advise that you shower or bathe after getting out too so that the water's chemicals are not left sitting on your skin, which can also be harmful.
If you have been unwell, have an open wound or have any other infection or illness, it's best to avoid using your hot tub altogether until you are symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
How long should I stay in a hot tub?
As much as it’s tempting to spend hours soaking in your hot tub you could cause your body to overheat. There’s also a chance you could become dizzy, lightheaded or feel nauseous.
We advise that you limit your soak time between 15-30 minutes to avoid potential heat-related health risks.
If you or any of your bathers have any underlying health conditions, consult a medical professional before using the hot tub.
Drinking alcohol whilst in a hot tub
A glass of wine or a couple of beers can be relaxing whilst in the tub, but as we know, alcohol can cause dehydration. The heat of the water can amplify its effects, so it's best to keep consumption to a minimum.
Try to avoid any spillages, too, as this can affect the pH balance of the water. If you accidentally spill your drink in the tub, you must test and balance the pH levels accordingly. If you do have a drink in your tub, make sure you use plastic glasses.
Physical hazards
It's always a risk when getting in and out of your hot tub, especially from splashing water which can cause the surrounding area to become slippery. Ensure handrails or steps are installed and secured correctly to the hot tub or the ground to avoid injuries from slipping.
Make sure any outlet openings are adequately constructed with a screen installed over them*, as users can get trapped underwater due to the power of the suction. Users should also never place their heads underwater if they have long hair or are wearing jewellery, as they could become caught and trapped in the outlet, causing a fatal accident.
*Although your installer will ensure this (if you opt for our installation service), it is your responsibility to maintain it.
Ensuring the safety of others
It's important to consider not only the safety of yourself but the safety of other users, especially those that are regarded as vulnerable. Ensuring that the water temperature is comfortable and that children are always supervised in and around the hot tub.
Can you go in the hot tub when pregnant?
During pregnancy, you should use your hot tub with care. Even just 10 minutes in your tub can raise your temperature above 38°C, which could put you and your developing baby at risk. Or avoid using it altogether, as there's an increased risk of overheating, dehydration, or even fainting.
Always consult your doctor or midwife if you’re unsure. You may be advised to lower the temperature to below 35°C and limit your soaking time to less than 10 minutes to avoid overheating.
Can children go in hot tubs?
It's recommended that children under the age of 5 should not use hot tubs. If your child is over 5 years old, a lower temperature of around 35°C and a limited soaking time of 10 minutes is advised, as they are less able to regulate their body temperature.
Children should never be left unattended when using a hot tub to avoid accidents, and always ensure they drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Can babies go in hot tubs?
Babies or toddlers should not be allowed in the hot tub as their thin skin makes them more exposed to overheating. Their skin is also more sensitive to chemicals, which could lead to irritation too.
Keeping your hot tub water clean
Your hot tub water should be tested, cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure that you and your bathers are kept healthy and safe.
Even before and after every use of your hot tub, you'll need to check the water's sanitary levels and pH levels using test strips; if these are too low, the levels need to be adjusted accordingly by adding the correct chemicals (chlorine or bromine) and using pH+ or pH- if you need to increase or decrease pH levels.
Don’t use your hot tub if the water levels are not safe.
Read more in our hot tub cleaning guide.
Parting advice
And there you have it; you now know all the safety guidelines to ensure your hot tub experience is even more relaxing and enjoyable.
Need more advice? Give us a call on 01482 212322 or email enquiries@outdoorlivinghottubs.co.uk and we’ll help you out. Or drop in and see us in our Hull or Leeds showrooms.
Not near one of our Yorkshire hot tub showrooms? No problem, if you’re looking for a new hot tub you can explore our virtual showroom or book a video call with our showroom team
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