Hot Tub Safety: Rules and a Pre-Soak Checklist
Six quick checks before you get in.
About 15 minutes once you are. Water at 40°C or under, a dry non-slip step, a working RCD, drinks in plastic and nobody under five: tick them off below. Then keep each soak to around 15 minutes, save the alcohol for afterwards and lock the cover when you are done.
Before you get in: six checks
Run through these every time.
They take a minute. All six ticked means you are ready to soak.
1
Water at 40°C or under
Read the thermometer before you step in. Most people settle at 36–38°C, and 40°C is the most the water should ever read.1 Our temperature guide has the settings for every season.
2
Clear, treated water
Dip a water test strip and wait out the time on your chemical label before you get in.2 Tested, treated water also guards against infection, which is what HSE’s spa-pool guidance is about.3
3
Dry, grippy footing
Put rubber mats on the step and the ground beside the tub, and keep the path to it clear, so getting in and out is steady.2
4
Power on and RCD set
The tub runs through a 30 mA RCD,4 and you know where the switch is that stops the pump quickly.5
During your soak
The most the water should ever read
Above 40°C there is a risk of heat stroke, because the body struggles to regulate its own temperature.1 A thermometer in the water takes the guesswork out.
One soak, then a break
Fifteen minutes is the standard advice for a single soak, and up to 20 suits a healthy adult.26 Step out, cool down and have a drink of water before you get back in. Water before and after helps you avoid feeling dizzy or sick.2
Hair, swimwear and drains
Keep hair, swimwear and jewellery away from suction fittings, and stay out of the tub if a suction cover is cracked or missing.7 Children stay seated with their head above water.6
If someone gets into difficulty
Lift them out of the water if you can do it safely and call 999. If they are not responding, start CPR and rescue breathing while you wait for the ambulance.2
Children, pregnancy and health
Children
No children under five.2 For children under ten, keep the water no warmer than 35°C and the soak to 5 to 10 minutes, with an adult watching the whole time.6
Our guide to hot tubs and kids answers the questions parents ask most.
Pregnancy
Keep the water at 38.9°C or below,5 and talk to your midwife or GP before you get in.
Electrics: what should be in place
A qualified electrician should connect your tub and check the protection. These are the three things to know.
30 mA
RCD protection
A 30 mA RCD is the standard way to cut the supply automatically if there is a fault.4
2 m
Socket or isolator, away from the water
Position the socket or isolator 2 m from the edge of the tub.4 Show everyone who uses the tub where the power switch is, so they can use it in an emergency.6
13 A to 40 A
The right supply for your tub
Plug-and-play tubs run from a standard 13 A plug, and larger tubs use a 32 A or 40 A supply.4 Our hot tub electrical installation guide explains what your electrician will need.
Handrail and cover lock
A firm handhold makes getting in and out steadier, and a solid cover that children cannot open themselves keeps the tub safe between soaks.2 Two things from our range help with exactly that.
Safe-T-Rail II Hot Tub Handrail£185
Rust-free powder-coated aluminium with a foam grip. It slides under the tub with no screws into the cabinet, and the weight of the filled spa holds it in place. The handle locks in several positions and is strong enough for adults and children. It gives everyone a steady handhold on the way in and out, and fitting takes about five minutes.
tubhub Quick Links Hot Tub Cover Locks£24.99
Replacement cover locks with a stainless steel quick link that clips onto your existing cover strap and fastens into the cabinet buckle. They suit all hot tub covers. If a lock on your cover has worn or broken, this puts a working one back, so the cover stays shut against children and pets.
Quick answers
Open a question to read the answer.
How long can you stay in a hot tub?
About 15 minutes for most adults, and up to 20 if you feel well. Step out to cool down, drink some water, then go back in if you like.
What is the safest hot tub temperature?
36–38°C suits most people, and 40°C is the maximum. Check the water with a thermometer before you get in.
Can children use a hot tub?
Not under five. For older children, keep the water no warmer than 35°C, limit the soak to 5 to 10 minutes and have an adult watching the whole time.
Is it safe to use a hot tub when pregnant?
Keep the water at 38.9°C or below and talk to your midwife or GP before you get in.
Can you drink alcohol in a hot tub?
It is best saved for afterwards, because alcohol and heat together can leave you drowsy. Take water in a plastic bottle or cup instead, never glass.
Do I need an RCD for a hot tub?
Yes. A 30 mA RCD is the standard protection for a hot tub's electrical supply, and a qualified electrician should connect the tub.
What should I do with the cover after a soak?
Put it back on and lock it. A solid, lockable cover that children cannot open themselves keeps the tub safe between soaks.
Sources
- BISHTA (British & Irish Spa & Hot Tub Association), hot tub safety alert, published by EuroSpaPoolNews, 13 June 2019
- RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), Hot tub safety, accessed 7 October 2026
- HSE (Health and Safety Executive), Spa-pool systems, updated 28 October 2024
- NAPIT, Hot tub installations: how to stay out of hot water, Professional Electrician, 26 January 2021
- HealthLink BC, Residential hot tubs and pools: health and safety tips, accessed 7 October 2026
- Jacuzzi, Hot tub safety: what you need to know, accessed 7 October 2026
- Platinum Spas, Hot tub owner’s manual, 2025
Paul Margerison
Managing Director & Founder, Outdoor Living
A hot tub is at its best when everyone using it feels at ease. This guide puts the safety habits in one place so they are quick to follow.