Things You Should Never Do to Your Hot Tub - Crystal Pools, Inc.

Things You Should Never Do to Your Hot Tub

A hot tub is one of the most rewarding investments

A hot tub is one of the most rewarding investments you can make, but it’s critical that you use it properly and keep it well maintained.

Below, we’ve included an essential list of Hot Tub Don’ts: things you should never do if you want to ensure your safety and make your hot tub last for years to come.

Sure, some of these may seem obvious, but they need to be said. Like deep-frying an unthawed turkey (don’t do it!), some people may be confused about what’s safe vs. what’s really, really foolish.

So, let’s go over some of these critical tips to make sure you don’t make a mistake you’ll regret later.

1) Don’t leave kids unattended.

When kids are using the hot tub, an adult should be with them at all times. Accidents can and do happen. Younger children are especially at risk of drowning in water—and they do, every year, sometimes in only a few inches. So the risks are even greater in a hot tub. Young children can also become overheated in a hot tub, so it’s important to monitor them the entire time. Hot tubs should also be properly covered and fenced in to ensure that kids cannot climb in unnoticed.

2) Don’t dive in. Don’t jump in. No cannonballs. No horseplay.

A hot tub is not a swimming pool. Jumping into the water poses a serious risk for injury. Similarly, there should be no horseplay—all it takes is one little slip to twist an ankle, fracture an arm, cause head trauma, and so on.

Aside from the physical dangers, jumping and splashing will waste water and could damage the hot tub.

3) Don’t turn off the power with a hot tub full of water.

This is especially true in winter, but it applies to warmer months too. In winter (or even fall), freezing water can do a ton of damage to your hot tub. And in the warmer months, it’s way more efficient to keep your hot tub at a steady temperature, rather than letting it cool between each use.

4) Don’t use it during a storm.

Lightning, folks. Do we really have to explain this one?

5) Don’t keep it running if you’re not adding chemicals.

If you want to turn your hot tub into a science experiment, go ahead. By not maintaining the water, your hot tub will quickly turn into a swamp. The mess will be gross, sure, but also very hard to clean and damaging to the hot tub too.

6) Don’t raise the temperature above 104° F.

All new hot tubs have a max temperature of 104° F for a reason: anything higher becomes dangerous. Manufacturers, dealers, and global safety commissions are all on the same page about this, which is why new hot tubs can’t be set higher than 104. If for some reason yours can, don’t do it.

7) Don’t put foam, shampoo or bubbles in the hot tub.

Sure, it sounds nice. But your hot tub is not intended to be used as a bubble bath. Adding soaps and suds of any kind could cause costly damage to your hot tub.

Also, it’s a good idea to shower before hot tubbing. Certainly don’t get in if you’re covered in dirt, thinking the hot tub will clean you off. Remember, you’re not draining the water regularly like you do with a bathtub, and the filters can only handle so much grime.