Risks to children from hot water in hot tubs
Hot tubs can be dangerous for children for a number of reasons. Let’s take a look at each of the risks hot tubs pose to young children.
- Drowning: As in a swimming pool, bathtub or other body of water, it is possible for children to drown in a hot tub.
- Overheating: Hot tub temperatures are usually too hot for young children. Too much time in the heat can lead to overheating and dehydration (loss of water in the human body).
- Injuries from jets and drains: jets and drains can become a kind of toy and children may decide to stick their fingers into the jets and drains and injure themselves. (Also watch out for long hair).
- Falls: When children run, climb or play on or near a whirlpool tub, they can easily slip and fall into the water, which can lead to drowning.
How to keep children safe?
While there are risks associated with children and hot tubs, there are ways you can keep your children safe when they are in a hot tub.
Talk with your children about hot tub safety.
Before you allow your children near a hot tub, you should sit down with them and talk about hot tub safety. Establish rules that you want them to follow when playing in or near a hot tub. Just like rules in a public pool, these rules could prevent injuries and accidents in the hot tub.
Without scaring your children, you do need to explain the dangers hot tubs can pose to them.
Supervise children when near the hot tub.
Always watch children when they are playing in or near a hot tub. As with any body of water, the potential risk of drowning is always present, so be sure to watch children closely. You may also want to learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you plan to let your children play in a hot tub or pool. It’s also a good idea to keep a phone nearby just in case something happens.
Lower the temperature of the whirlpool tub
Hot tubs can reach up to 40°C, which is too hot for small children, as they are more sensitive to heat than adults. If you want to allow your children to enter the hot tub, you can lower the temperature of the hot tub to approximately 27° to make it safer for them. This will not only prevent overheating, but will also be more comfortable for the children.
Make sure your children stay hydrated while in the hot tub. Make sure any children in the hot tub are drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Don’t let your children play underwater.
Hot tubs are not the same as swimming pools, and swimming underwater in a hot tub can be dangerous. It is very easy for hair to get caught in the jets of the hot tub, which could prevent the child from coming up for air. It is a good idea to tell children that they are not allowed to dive under the water in a hot tub.
It is also important to teach your children not to stick their fingers in the jets or drains. Not only could their fingers get stuck, preventing them from surfacing, but they could also injure their hands trying to free themselves.
Lock your hot tub cover
Locking your hot tub cover will not only prevent someone from using your hot tub without your permission, but it will also prevent accidental drowning by children playing near the hot tub. Cubiertas para spa recommends buying a padlock for your cover or purchasing a cover with a padlock. We offer custom hot tub covers and covers to fit any hot tub on the market, so you know your hot tub cover is properly fitted to prevent accidents.
Buy a suitable drain cover
Your hot tub may already have a drain cover, but you’ll want to make sure it’s a cover that minimises the risk of hair getting caught in the suction of the drain. The combination of a drain cover and prohibiting underwater play in the hot tub can help prevent child’s hair from being pulled into the drain, leaving them unable to climb up.
Know where the cut-off switch is located on your hot tub
In case of an emergency, it is important to know where the cut-off switch is located on your hot tub. Make sure your entire family or any visitors who may be using the hot tub know where the switch is located and how to turn it off. This could help save the life of a child who is trapped in the drain.
It is always important to keep children as safe as possible around hot tubs and water. While there are dangers around hot tubs, it is easy for children to enjoy a soak in a hot tub safely. At hot tub covers, we know how important it is to have peace of mind while children play near a hot tub. If you are looking for a hot tub cover, check out the custom hot tub cover options on our Spa Covers website.
