Summer is coming to a close, meaning the kids in your life will want to invite their school friends over to use your hot tub! Go ahead and welcome them in – a hot tub is fun for everyone! However, if your guests include children, make sure you have hot tub safety tips for children in place.

Be as aware as you would around a pool.

A good rule is that no children are in the hot tub without vigilant adults present, ever!

Lock your hot tub cover.

It’s wise to supervise, but you can’t always have eyes on your hot tub. A cover lock keeps all visitors, children or otherwise, from using the tub when you’re not there.

Soak with them!

This maximizes their safety, and minimizes the fear factor. Turning the jets off will make your hot tub seem less intimidating to smaller children. Once they feel more at ease you can turn the air on, but at a lower level to begin. Keep in mind that little ones may not have the strength and body weight to steady themselves in front of strong jets. Hold onto them until they’re able to withstand the force and maintain control on their own.

Cool it down.

Turn down the heat – especially for young children who are first-timers. Let them ease into the hot tub, a toe to begin, then a foot, and so on. Turn the tub down to 100-degrees or lower for their inaugural dip, until they feel comfortable with the temperature.

Pre-teens and teens: a different set of rules.

The party rules change for older, bigger, more energetic kids. Regarding horseplay, running, diving, splashing water out of your tub: No way! Keep your eyes peeled when these adolescent frolickers inhabit your hot tub. No electronics are allowed in the tub, unless they’re a bonafide accessory of your hot tub.

It’s okay to be the bad guy.

State the rules up front and be that “spa cop.” Spa toys are toys, but other accessories are not. Oh yeah, don’t let anyone jump on the cover!

Set soaking time limits.

Keep an eye out for red faces. If they look too hot, have them get out for a few minutes, or at least hang out on the edge of the tub, and dangle their feet. After they’ve cooled down, they can re-enter the tub.

Keep them hydrated.

Have refreshments nearby. Juices and water are ideal. And remember. Water + Kids = Hunger, so have plenty of munchies for them when they finish hot tubbing – not before. You don’t want snacks spilled in your hot tub – it can be an ugly mess. Lastly, avoid broken glass and/or pottery by using non-breakable cups and plates around your hot tub.

It’s a hot tub, not a hot bathtub.

Nobody, kids included, should be allowed to add anything to your hot tub. That means no bubble bath or soap – ever!

Stow your spa chemicals.

For safety’s sake lock them up and out of reach.

At Aurora Pool, Spa & Billiard Gallery, we are serious when it comes to hot tub safety tips for children – and all of our customers! If you have any question about safety features, give us a call and we can help!