SEASONAL INFO — SPA/HOT TUB SAFETY
Well.. well… Hi again everyone!
Spring is here and we’re all getting into our spas & hot tubs to relax and enjoy a good glass of wine (or champagne!) and stare out at the evening sky with our wives, girlfriends, husbands, boyfriends, kids, dogs, cats, whatever… I just wanted to take a little time to get out some SAFETY INFORMATION that is kind of important to know about spas & hot tubs. I got the article from the Sta-Rite Pool website and pasted it on here so the format may be off a little but read it anyway cause it’s all great information!
MOST IMPORTANTLY…. Keep your eye on the kids around water… they can disappear in a heartbeat!
A. A spa should always have dual suction outlets to prevent entrapment. All tub suction fittings should be certified to meet the current ASME/ANSI Standards that apply. B. Keep the water temperature in your spa below 104° F (40° C). Age or health conditions (especially pregnancy) may require a lower temperature; consult a physician for more information. If you’re not sure, start at a lower temperature and gradually increase it, but don’t go above 104° F (40° C). Keep an accurate thermometer in the spa; check the temperature before getting in. C. If you are using alcohol or drugs (including medications), don’t use the spa or hot tub. The combination of hot water and either alcohol or drugs (or both) can cause dizziness, falling, unconsciousness, or a heart attack. D. A long bath in hot water may cause hyperthermia (too much heat in the body) which can be fatal. Some symptoms of hyperthermia are: • Nausea • Dizziness • Fainting If these symptoms appear while you are in the spa, GET OUT AT ONCE! Cool the body quickly with cold towels or a cool shower. Call a doctor if the symptoms don’t go away. E. Letting the spa jet pump run at high speed overnight with the spa covered can heat the water in the spa to extremely high temperatures, from the friction of the water flowing through the pump and piping system.This can scald you and may cause spa shell failure and a flood of hot water. Turn off the jets whenever the spa is not in use. F. Never alter the electrical cord or plug on the spa system. In particular, never cut off a 20-amp plug and replace it with a 15-amp plug. Check the spa’s dataplate to be sure that the system’s electrical requirements do not overload the supply circuit’s capacity. G. Do not use an extension cord to connect a spa system to an existing electrical outlet. A spa system must operate from a GFCI protected circuit or outlet which is dedicated to that spa only. If in doubt, consult a licensed electrician.
