Hot tub care and upkeep will ultimately mean the safety of those using the system. As a rule, homeowners want to prevent problems before they occur. That means employing only the best care and upkeep practices to avoid the possibility of health or safety issues.

One prime rule of safety is to always soak with someone. Fewer accidents or incidents are likely when enjoying the spa with another person present. No child of any age should ever be left alone in the water, and children under the age of eight shouldn’t be in the water or left unsupervised near the tub.

When you maintain a hot tub, certain elements have the potential for safety hazards that you must be mindful of. Pay close attention to how you use your chemicals, how to place the cover, and other key components of care and upkeep.

Consider these guidelines to make hot tub safety a priority and simpler than you might imagine.

Tips For Maintaining a Hot Tub for Optimum Safety

Hot tub care and upkeep sort of go hand in hand with safety and security. You want to ensure the equipment is adequately maintained, and the water is correctly tested to keep it healthy without risks of hazardous incidents or accidents.

If not sufficiently cleaned, like skimming the film from the surface and underneath, the surfaces can get slippery, causing fall risks for users. Learn hot tub user guidelines at https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/hot-tub-safety-tips/, and then look at some ways you can protect those using the tub with simple maintenance techniques.

·        Water balance and sanitizers

Maintaining a proper water balance with clean, healthy water is mandatory for safety. Untreated hot water is a breeding ground for germs, viruses, and bacteria that thrive under these conditions.

Test strips should be used no less than a couple of times each week, but the recommendation is to use them after every soak.

The pH and alkalinity should be balanced, and the water should be sanitized before getting into the tub. Any time the water appears cloudy, or it has a musty or strong smell, there are excessive contaminants, and the sanitizer is no longer effective.

This is when a shock treatment should be used for water clarity and to help with the sanitizer’s effectiveness. As it oxidizes, the organic matter will break down, no longer able to feed the algae and bacteria that have been thriving.

·        The supplies

All chemicals and hot tub supplies should be out of direct sunlight in storage that’s dry, cool, and ventilated away from the reach of small children or pets. Any spills or drips after use should be rinsed away immediately. All manufacturer precautions need to be followed.

Spa chemicals should only be mixed when ready for application. A bucket with clean, fresh water should be used to premix the dry materials. You should avoid placing undissolved products in the spa to risk damaging the liner or the shell. 

Acid should be added to water, but water should not be added to acid to avoid harmful reactions. It’s recommended to avoid muriatic acid with buffered acid instead.

·        Snacks and Beverages

When you want to enjoy a cocktail or alcoholic beverage along with a soak, it’s essential to have the drink after indulging in the soak, not before or during the experience. Hot water notes to intensify alcohol’s effects with the potential for drowsiness while in the water or overheating.

It’s better to enjoy cool water to remain hydrated throughout the soak, helping to maintain a good core body temp. You want to avoid taking ceramic or glass containers into a hot tub. These have the propensity for breaking, leaving behind glass shards dangerous for trying to get out of the water.

Snacks or drinks should be placed in plastic, shatter-resistant containers. A hot tub tray is an excellent addition to your spa for holding items without the potential for spilling into the water. Read here for hot tub safety tips.

·        Water temperature

Soaking for long periods in water that’s too hot can lead to overheating and the possibility of medical concerns. Most new tubs are manufactured to max at a setting of 104 degrees F.

Still, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that homeowners try to keep it below 102 degrees F for optimum safety.

It’s further advised that sessions remain within roughly a 15-minute time frame or less based on how hot the water is. Nausea and dizziness are red flags that the soak has exceeded safe limits, and you should leave the tub.

Final Thought

When exiting and entering the hot tub, it’s vital that there be “skid-proof” mats around the exterior of the spa to prevent slipping and falling, the potential for splinters if there’s wood decking around the tub and consider a handrail to grab onto for added security.