Hot Tub Safety Tips

Although there are many health benefits to using a hot tub, it does not come without risks. In a recent year, 8 out of 10 child deaths were attributed to accidental drowning in a pool, spa, or hot tub in Nevada.

To better protect your family, Cloward Trial Lawyers would like to offer advice on how to be safe while using a hot tub.

Benefits of Using a Hot Tub

The benefits of using a hot tub cannot be overlooked. Here are just some of the benefits of using a hot tub:

• Reduced muscle tension
• Joint pain relief
• Improved blood flow
• Improved sleep
• A strengthened immune system

Using a hot tub widens blood vessels, which helps to improve circulation throughout the body. In improving blood flow, white blood cells are able to be more easily transported throughout your body, which helps you to fight off infections.

Hydrotherapy reduces muscle soreness by allowing the buoyancy of the water to support your weight. With the help of the warm water, your muscles will more easily relax.

Who Can Benefit from Using a Hot Tub?

A hot tub will benefit people with the following conditions:

• Arthritis: by helping to reduce inflammation and pain
• Migraines: by helping to ease headaches and fight the source of the pain
• Diabetes: by helping to reduce glucose levels and increase insulin absorption
• Fibromyalgia: by helping to reduce fibromyalgia triggers and improve sleep
• Anxiety: by alleviating pain and helping to relax the hot tub user

Who Should Avoid Using a Hot Tub?

If you are in any of the following groups, you should avoid using a hot tub:

• If you are pregnant – If you are expecting, avoid using a hot tub since the high temperature could potentially harm your fetus. It is especially important to avoid a hot tub in the first trimester, but it is safe to use a hot tub at home during your second and third trimesters. Just be sure not to set the temperature too high.
• If you are prone to seizures or have epilepsy – If you have a seizure disorder or epilepsy, it is wise to make sure that somebody is with you when using a hot tub. If you were to fall unconscious alone, you would be at a high risk of drowning. You will want a partner by your side who knows what to do if an emergency situation arises.
• If you are on a medication that causes drowsiness – If you are on a medication that puts you at risk of falling asleep, you will want to avoid jumping into a hot tub. Adults do drown in hot tubs. In fact, almost every day, one American drowns in a hot tub, bathtub, or spa.
• If you have a cut or open wound – If you have a cut or open wound, soaking the wound in a hot tub may prolong the healing process and even cause an infection.
• Certain age groups – Children and the elderly are at a higher risk of experiencing dizziness and/or nausea.

Safety Precautions

There are a few safety rules that should be followed:

• Shower before using the hot tub: showering removes any oil-based products that may be on your skin that could otherwise end up clogging the filter
• Leave the hot tub cover on and latched to avoid accidental drownings
• Wear clean swimwear: dyes from ordinary clothing will cause the water to get cloudy
• Don’t drink alcohol: consuming alcohol can increase your risk of dehydration, drowsiness, and hyperthermia (when your body temperature is higher than 98.6 degrees)
• Don’t dive or jump in: a hot tub is shallow, so diving or jumping in both create hazards
• Don’t use electronic devices near or in the hot tub: electricity and water don’t mix

How Long Should I Stay in a Hot Tub?

A hot tub is normally much warmer than your body temperature. To avoid overheating, you should only stay in a hot tub for between 15 and 30 minutes. If you feel flushed, it is important to get out of the tub. Prior to using a hot tub, you should consult with a physician. A hot tub is not a healthy choice for everyone.

A hot tub should be kept between 100° to 102° Fahrenheit, but it can be as high as 104° Fahrenheit. The hotter the temperature, the less time you should spend wading in the hot tub. It is recommended that children and the elderly do not remain in a hot tub for longer than 20 minutes.

Hot Tub Exposure Risks

Even taking all necessary precautions, hot tub injuries do occur. Hotels and spas may set the hot tub temperature too high (in some cases, hot tubs may be heated up to 110° Fahrenheit).

In other situations, a hot tub may have tainted water, harboring bacteria such as Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Cryptosporidium. Disturbing evidence suggests that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is present within two-thirds (2/3) of hot tubs. It can cause a skin rash known as hot tub folliculitis, which presents as itchy red bumps around hair follicles.

Worse yet, if a hot tub’s water is contaminated, even inhaling the fumes can be dangerous. A hot tub with tainted water exposes the user to Legionella bacteria, increasing the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever.

Contact a Las Vegas Hot Tub and Walk-in Tub Accident Lawyer

A dip in a hot tub should be a relaxing experience. Unfortunately, there is no knowing the sanitary procedures and protocols of a hot tub venue. There are always safety risks of illness or injury.

At Cloward Trial Lawyers, we help victims of hot tub and walk-in tub accidents and their families recover financially for any losses. We know how complicated a hot tub case can be, and we are ready to collect any pertinent evidence to bring the liable party to justice. Contact us today to request your free consultation.