GENERAL

• No pets allowed in the pool or spa.
• No glass bottles, glasses, plates or glass objects of any kind are allowed in the spa area.
• No substances of any kind are to be added to the pool or spa water (other than those specifically required to maintain proper water cleanliness).
• No sharp objects of any kind are to taken into the pool or spa.
• No bathing in the pool or spa.
• The spa shall remain covered when not in use.
• Children and non-swimmers must be attended to by a responsible individual at all times.
• Spa users are to bathe indoors prior to use.

HAIR ENTRAPMENT

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reports of incidents including deaths in which people’s hair was sucked into the suction fitting drain of a spa, hot tub, or whirlpool bathtub, causing the victims’ heads to be held under water. The suction from drain outlets is strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, and drowning. Most accidents with drain outlets involve people with hair that is shoulder-length or longer.

Hair entrapment occurs when a bather’s hair becomes entangled in a suction fitting drain cover as the water and hair are drawn powerfully through the drain. In several incidents, children were playing a “hold your breath the longest” game, leaning forward in the water and permitting their long hair to be sucked into the drain.

Here are some safety precautions to help prevent hair entrapment in the spa:

The spa manufacturer has provided a drain cover that meets a voluntary standard for drain covers (ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M-1987) that should help reduce hair entrapment.

Keep long hair away from the suction fitting drain cover. Wear a bathing cap or pin hair up if you have long hair.

Never allow a child to play in a way that could permit the child’s hair to come near the drain cover. Always supervise children around a spa, hot tub, whirlpool bathtub, wading pool, or swimming pool.

If drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the spa until drain cover is replaced.

SPA TEMPERATURES

CPSC knows of several deaths from extremely hot water (approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit) in a spa. High temperatures can cause drowsiness which may lead to unconsciousness, resulting in drowning. In addition, raised body temperature can lead to heat stroke and death. In 1987, CPSC helped develop requirements for temperature controls to make sure that spa water temperatures never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Pregnant women and young children should not use a spa before consulting with a physician.

DROWNING

The main hazard from hot tubs and spas is the same as that from pools – drowning. Since 1980, CPSC has reports of more than 700 deaths in spas and hot tubs. About one-third of those were drownings to children under age five. Consumers should keep a locked safety cover on the spa whenever it is not in use and keep children away unless there is constant adult supervision. For statistics compiled by the Consumer Products Safety Commission on drowning, click here.