How to Stay Safe While You Soak

The health benefits of spending time in your hot tub are plentiful, especially when you soak safely.

Here’s a helpful list of ways to soak with safety in mind.

Stay Hydrated

While high water temperatures bring relaxation, they may also bring dehydration.

The water temperature in hot tubs are typically around 100 degrees. These high temperatures can cause you to sweat more, leading to dehydration. Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your session, and keep a bottle of water nearby to sip while you soak.

Eliminating direct sunlight will keep you cooler. If you are directly exposed to sunlight during your session, you might consider installing an umbrella or wearing a hat to provide shade.

If you’re using your hot tub on a chilly night, consider keeping a warm beverage nearby, like a warm, herbal tea.

Take Care of Your Skin

High water temperatures can damage your skin.

It can be difficult to maintain the moisture in your skin after spa soaks, especially during the chilly fall and winter months when your skin could already be suffering from dryness. Luckily, it’s easy to counteract the skin-drying effect of a hot water soak.

Make sure your hot tub’s pH level is in the correct range to minimize dryness of the skin. Soaking in warm water that’s not between 7.2 & 7.8 pH can result in a more acidic water environment. This means that more moisture will be pulled out of your skin during your soak.

To replenish the natural moisture and elasticity in your skin after your soak, try these steps:

• Once you wrap-up your session, pat (don’t rub) your skin dry with a soft towel. Eliminating friction reduces skin irritation and dryness.
• Apply a moisturizer with shea butter or cocoa butter while your skin is still damp after showering.

Caution Spa Use

The length of your soak should be determined by the temperature of your water.

It’s important to maintain moderation when it comes to high water temperatures. Ideally, the water should be kept between 100 degrees to 102 degrees, but some preferences may range from 98 degrees to 104 degrees depending on the desired experience. Turn it down another couple of degrees if you have a medical condition.

Generally, twenty-minutes is all you need to enjoy the many benefits of your hot tub. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the temperature of your water, the less time you should spend soaking. You don’t want to spend too long in high water temperatures because you can risk overheating, dizziness, and nausea.

If you also have a swimming pool, don’t jump straight from the hot tub to the pool to cool off. The cold water could shock your system and make your blood pressure spike.

Before using a hot tub, pregnant women should consult their physician for medical advice on whether it is advisable.

Keep Kids Safe

Family hot tub time is a great way to wind down from your busy weeks and spend quality time together. Soaking can also be beneficial to promote speedy recovery times for children who have sports-related muscle strain.

10 to 15-minute sessions are ideal for younger soakers. Children under the age of 10 should soak in the hot tub for only 5-10 minutes at a time.

For family soaking time, it’s safe to lower the temperature to 95 degrees because children are more sensitive to heat than adults. If your hot tub has “cool down” seats above the waterline, designate those for the youngest members of your family.

If you have children in your home, keep a locking cover over your hot tub when it’s not in use. Spa steps and handrails are great accessories to give support to those entering and exiting.

Avoid Slips

Spa steps and handrails are excellent accessories for hot tub safety. They can also help identify safe places to step in and out of the spa. Support from steps and rails is particularly beneficial to those who may not be steady on their feet.

Speaking of rails, why not add a towel rail? Having towels nearby to dry off your feet when stepping out of the hot tub will keep walking areas clean and dry.

Besides enforcing a “no-running-and-jumping” rule, it’s a good idea to have a non-slippery walkway to your hot tub to prevent slips and falls. You can also add non-slip mats, pads, or tread tape in the surrounding area.

If you frequently soak during the evening or night hours, make sure that proper lighting is placed around the hot tub.

Why Choose Bassemiers for My Hot Tub?

Bassemiers carries only the best hot tub brands, like Jacuzzi and Sundance Spas.

With experienced and knowledgeable staff, Bassemiers can help you find the perfect Jacuzzi for your unique lifestyle. Learn more about the hot tub buying process by downloading the hot tub buyer’s guide.

If you already own a hot tub and want to learn the best tips and tricks for maximizing your hot tub experience, contact us today!