Spa, Hot Tub, and Whirlpool Dangers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has developed a set of standards for spas, hot tubs, and whirlpools due to the large number of deaths that occurred during their use.

The main hazard from hot tubs and spas is the same hazard involved with swimming pool drowning. The CPSC has reports of more than 700 deaths since 1980, with about one-third of those deaths due to the drowning of children under age five. Unless there is constant adult supervision, children should be kept away and a locked safety cover should be in place.

Since 1978, CPSC has reports of 49 incidents (including 13 deaths) in which people's hair was sucked into the suction fitting of a spa, hot tub, or whirlpool, causing the victim's head to held underwater. To reduce the risk of hair entrapment, make sure that your spa, whirlpool, or hot tub is fitted with a new drain cover that meets the CPSC standard for reducing the risk of hair entrapment. If the drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the spa until the cover is replaced, and never allow a child to play in such a way that his or her hair would come near the drain cover.

There have been at least 18 incidents since 1980, that the CPSC is aware of, in which parts of the body have been entrapped by the strong suction of the drain of pools, wading pools, spas, and hot tubs. Of these incidents, 10 resulted in disembowelment and 5 other people died. The CPSC helped to develop a standard that required dome-shaped drain outlets and two outlets for each pump, in order to reduce the powerful suction if one drain is blocked. If you own an older model spa, you should consider installing a new drain cover or purchasing a new spa equipped with two drains.

There have been several deaths from extremely hot water (over 110ºF) in a spa. High temperatures can cause drowsiness, which may lead to unconsciousness, resulting in drowning. Raised body temperature can also lead to heat stroke and death. In 1987, requirements were developed by the CPSC, for temperature controls to make sure that spa water temperature controls never exceed 104ºF. Pregnant women and young children should not use a spa before consulting a physician.

The CPSC recommends these safety precautions when using a hot tub, spa, or whirlpool:

• Always use a locked safety cover when the spa is not in use and keep young children away from spas or hot tubs unless there is constant adult supervision.
• Make sure the spa has the dual drains and drain covers required by current safety standards.
• Regularly have a professional check your spa or hot tub and make sure it is in good, safe working condition, and that drain covers are in place and not cracked or missing. Check the drain covers yourself throughout the year.
• Know where the cut-off switch for your pump is so you can turn it off in an emergency.
• Be aware that consuming alcohol while using a spa could lead to drowning.
• Keep the temperature of the water in the spa at 104ºF or below.