Hot Tubs

Heed…hot tub rules for safe and healthy use.

• Don’t enter a hot tub when you have diarrhea.
• Don’t swallow hot tub water or even get it into your mouth.
• Shower or bathe with soap before entering the hot tub.
• Observe limits, if posted, on the maximum allowable number of bathers.
• Don’t let children less than 5 years of age use hot tubs.
• Don’t drink alcohol before entering the hot tub or during hot tub use.
• If pregnant, consult a physician before hot tub use, particularly in the first trimester

Observe…and listen to the hot tub and its surroundings. What should you notice?

• No odor; a well-chlorinated hot tub has little odor. A strong chemical smell indicates a maintenance problem.
• Smooth hot tub sides; tiles should not be sticky or slippery.
• Hot tub equipment is working; pumps and filtration systems make noise and you should hear them running.
• Hot tub temperature; the water temperature should not exceed 104°F (40°C)
• Check the hot tub water; test for adequate free chlorine (3–10 parts per million or ppm) or bromine (4–8 ppm) and pH (7.2–7.8) levels using hot tub test strips.

Talk…to hot tub owners/staff and other hot tub users.

• What was the health inspector’s grade for the hot tub after its last inspection?
• Are chlorine and pH levels checked at least twice per day?
• Are these levels checked during times when the hot tub is most heavily used?
• Are trained operation staff available during the weekends when the hot tub is most heavily used?
• What specialized training did the staff take to prepare for working at or operating a hot tub?
• Learn about RWIs and educate other users and your hot tub operator.
• Urge your hot tub management to spread the word about RWIs to hot tub staff and users.