Hot Tub Safety

By Simon Dickson

Over the last 15 years the popularity of having a Jacuzzi / Spa in your own garden has grown, therefore safety agencies within the United Kingdom, European Union, United States and Canada have come up with some standards with regards to safety of hot tubs.

As more adults and kids have started using a hot tub on a regular basis, safety experts feel there should be a set of standardized safely tips for the use of hot tubs.

Using a hot tub is a very pleasant experience, being able to relax in the warm relaxing water. As long as people follows the basic safety tips that have been set out for hot tubs, your time will be a pleasurable and safe experience

The general safety tips for enjoying hot tubs includes the following points:
• Make sure the spa has the dual drains and drain covers required by current safety standards.
• Regularly have a professional check your spa or hot tub and make sure it is in good, safe working condition, and that drain covers are in place and not cracked or missing.
• Check the drain covers yourself throughout the year.
• Know where the cut-off switch for your pump is so you can turn it off in an emergency.
• Be aware that consuming alcohol while using a spa could lead to drowning.
• Keep the temperature of the water in the spa at 40 degree Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• Always use a locked safety cover when the spa is not in use.
• Keep young children away from spas or hot tubs unless there is constant adult supervision.

With all commercial hot tubs found in hotels, gyms and health clubs they are mandatory to list the full set of safely points next to the hot tubs for all users to read. This is not required for home use but it is recommended that you fully explain all the rules to any guests that might use your hot tub.

Due to the new regulations an organisation called BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) has been set up so the key supplier and manufactures could belong to this organisation, this ensures all the companies keep to the highest standards when selling their products and explain the safety issues to the public correctly. There are some companies that are out there which are not part of BISHTA and who are not giving correct safety advise. It is there for suggested that if you are considering purchasing any hot tubs or hot tub chemicals you buy them from a business that is part of BISTHA to ensure you get accurate safe advice.

Recently there has been more awareness about legionnaires disease in hot tubs, even thought there have not been many case with legionnaires disease in hot tubs it is still the need to be aware of it and how to look after you hot tub.

Hot tubs can be very enjoyable and relaxing places, but make sure you understand the safely issues, if you are even unsure about any safety issues make sure you ask you BISTHA registered hot tubs dealer.