Safety Tips While Soaking in Your Omaha Hot Tub!
March 15/2020 The enjoyment of the hot tub won’t be ruined by disaster if you follow some easy tips to avoid common mistakes.
Water Chemistry
The refreshing sound of bubbling water and soothing waterfalls may be enough to entice you into the hot tub. Before you take the plunge, make sure that the water chemistry is balanced. Never use a hot tub with a sanitizer level below 1 ppm as shown by a test strip or water test kit. Germs can survive and be passed person to person if sanitizer is low. Do not add sanitizer just prior to use to avoid skin irritation. Allow enough time for sanitizer to mix with the water and effectively kill any existing bacteria before using the spa. Balancing the pH level is also important as this will allow sanitizer to work efficiently as well as protect the equipment and, more importantly, keep your skin from irritation.
The refreshing sound of bubbling water and soothing waterfalls may be enough to entice you into the hot tub. Before you take the plunge, make sure that the water chemistry is balanced. Never use a hot tub with a sanitizer level below 1 ppm as shown by a test strip or water test kit. Germs can survive and be passed person to person if sanitizer is low. Do not add sanitizer just prior to use to avoid skin irritation. Allow enough time for sanitizer to mix with the water and effectively kill any existing bacteria before using the spa. Balancing the pH level is also important as this will allow sanitizer to work efficiently as well as protect the equipment and, more importantly, keep your skin from irritation.
Step Entry
The depth of the hot tub is distorted when filled with water. Make sure that any step that is used outside the hot tub is placed at a safe entry point or higher seating position of the hot tub. The spa step should have good tread so as to not be slippery when exiting the hot tub. We have many step options available for your Omaha hot tub. An additional safety rail can be mounted to the spa for added stability when entering or exiting the hot tub. These can also hold a towel for handy access.
The depth of the hot tub is distorted when filled with water. Make sure that any step that is used outside the hot tub is placed at a safe entry point or higher seating position of the hot tub. The spa step should have good tread so as to not be slippery when exiting the hot tub. We have many step options available for your Omaha hot tub. An additional safety rail can be mounted to the spa for added stability when entering or exiting the hot tub. These can also hold a towel for handy access.
Water Temperature
Everybody reacts differently to water temperature. What is comfortable for one person may make another light headed. The National Pool and Spa Foundation recommends a maximum soaking temperature of 104 degree for adults. Most current spas are equipped with a factory default setting not to exceed this temperature. Other factors that can affect the comfort level of spa temperature includes whether the spa is inside or outside and the ambient air temperature. A therapy session of 30 minutes, after the body adjusts to spa temperature (approximately 15 minutes) will allow heat to work into sore muscles, so adjust temperature to a comfortable level to allow the best therapy results. Any person with medical or health concerns should seek the advice of their physician prior to using the hot tub. If your hot tub doesn’t have a digital readout, always keep a floating thermometer in the hot tub to monitor the temperature.
Everybody reacts differently to water temperature. What is comfortable for one person may make another light headed. The National Pool and Spa Foundation recommends a maximum soaking temperature of 104 degree for adults. Most current spas are equipped with a factory default setting not to exceed this temperature. Other factors that can affect the comfort level of spa temperature includes whether the spa is inside or outside and the ambient air temperature. A therapy session of 30 minutes, after the body adjusts to spa temperature (approximately 15 minutes) will allow heat to work into sore muscles, so adjust temperature to a comfortable level to allow the best therapy results. Any person with medical or health concerns should seek the advice of their physician prior to using the hot tub. If your hot tub doesn’t have a digital readout, always keep a floating thermometer in the hot tub to monitor the temperature.
Pregnant Women and Children
The buoyancy a hot tub provides can be very welcoming during those later months of pregnancy to help relieve stress from lower back, knees and ankles. Lower water temperature is normally recommended for pregnant women and children alike. Children are not able to handle the higher temps. NEVER leave children unattended in or around the hot tub! Always check with your physician before using the hot tub if you are pregnant or have children who will be using the spa. Many Omaha area physicians see the benefits that a hot tub can provide a low risk woman who is pregnant.
The buoyancy a hot tub provides can be very welcoming during those later months of pregnancy to help relieve stress from lower back, knees and ankles. Lower water temperature is normally recommended for pregnant women and children alike. Children are not able to handle the higher temps. NEVER leave children unattended in or around the hot tub! Always check with your physician before using the hot tub if you are pregnant or have children who will be using the spa. Many Omaha area physicians see the benefits that a hot tub can provide a low risk woman who is pregnant.
Drugs and Alcohol
Check with your physician regarding any prescription drugs and hot tub use. Hot water amplifies the effects of alcohol and drugs. Keep your libations to the non-alcoholic options while soaking. Hot water and alcohol does not mix and should never be tested!
Check with your physician regarding any prescription drugs and hot tub use. Hot water amplifies the effects of alcohol and drugs. Keep your libations to the non-alcoholic options while soaking. Hot water and alcohol does not mix and should never be tested!
Electricity and Water DO NOT Mix
A safety shut off or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) should be installed in close proximity of the hot tub, but not closer than 5 feet from spa. This will be used when draining and cleaning the spa as well as any time service repairs need done. This also allows a rapid way to cut power to the hot tub in case of an emergency. If there is ever an issue with power going someplace it shouldn’t or something not right with the spa, the breaker will automatically trip, cutting power to the hot tub until the issue is corrected. Common sense dictates that you should never have electrical devices around the hot tub (or pool) like radios, hair dryers, tv or corded phone. Electrocution could result if any electrical devices come in contact with the water!
A safety shut off or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) should be installed in close proximity of the hot tub, but not closer than 5 feet from spa. This will be used when draining and cleaning the spa as well as any time service repairs need done. This also allows a rapid way to cut power to the hot tub in case of an emergency. If there is ever an issue with power going someplace it shouldn’t or something not right with the spa, the breaker will automatically trip, cutting power to the hot tub until the issue is corrected. Common sense dictates that you should never have electrical devices around the hot tub (or pool) like radios, hair dryers, tv or corded phone. Electrocution could result if any electrical devices come in contact with the water!
Safety Cover
Always be sure to have a quality safety spa cover on your hot tub when not in use. Safety covers can handle small children walking across the cover without breaking. Also be sure that the coverlocks are in working condition and locked in place while cover is on. An additional set of cover locks can be installed for extra safety, especially in windy areas so cover doesn’t blow off. If cover shows signs of deterioration, replace with a new safety cover.
Always be sure to have a quality safety spa cover on your hot tub when not in use. Safety covers can handle small children walking across the cover without breaking. Also be sure that the coverlocks are in working condition and locked in place while cover is on. An additional set of cover locks can be installed for extra safety, especially in windy areas so cover doesn’t blow off. If cover shows signs of deterioration, replace with a new safety cover.
Buddy System
It’s always safer and more fun to hot tub with a friend! This will provide added safety in the case of an unforeseen emergency.
Always keep chemicals, test strips and cleaning supplies in a cool, dry, well vented location out of direct sunlight. Most importantly, out of the reach of children! Always run jets when adding chemicals to mix and dissolve them thoroughly in the water.
Following some simple, common sense procedures will lead to years of safe hot tub enjoyment for you and your family and friends!
Call Aqua Palace Today (712) 329-4180!
Want more information? Contact us. Aqua Palace is family owned and operated, offering above ground and in-ground pools, hot tubs, spas and saunas specializing in pool design, installation and repair to local (Omaha and Council Bluffs) and long distance residents (within the US). We are the only Marquis dealer in the Omaha Metro Area with the largest showroom east of the continental divide. Not located in Omaha? No worries, check out our online store for pool and spa chemicals, supplies and accessories.
It’s always safer and more fun to hot tub with a friend! This will provide added safety in the case of an unforeseen emergency.
Always keep chemicals, test strips and cleaning supplies in a cool, dry, well vented location out of direct sunlight. Most importantly, out of the reach of children! Always run jets when adding chemicals to mix and dissolve them thoroughly in the water.
Following some simple, common sense procedures will lead to years of safe hot tub enjoyment for you and your family and friends!
Call Aqua Palace Today (712) 329-4180!
Want more information? Contact us. Aqua Palace is family owned and operated, offering above ground and in-ground pools, hot tubs, spas and saunas specializing in pool design, installation and repair to local (Omaha and Council Bluffs) and long distance residents (within the US). We are the only Marquis dealer in the Omaha Metro Area with the largest showroom east of the continental divide. Not located in Omaha? No worries, check out our online store for pool and spa chemicals, supplies and accessories.
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