Home Swimming Pool & Hot Tub Safety (2024)

FAQs

What are the most important things to know about home pool safety? ›

Home Pool & Hot Tub Safety

Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. Designate a water watcher…and stay in arm's reach of young children. Install anti-entrapment drain covers and safety release systems to protect against drain entrapment. If a child is missing, check the water first.

But hot tubs might not be safe for some people, including pregnant women and those with heart disease. And when they aren't cleaned well, they pose risks to even healthy people. Before you buy a hot tub for your backyard or step into those warm waters at the spa or gym, make sure you know a bit about their safety.

Drowning. Unfortunately, drowning is a significant risk associated with swimming pools. Be on the lookout for anyone who may be struggling in the water and act fast if you see someone in trouble.

1. Drowning Risks. Drowning is one of the most significant safety concerns around a pool. It can happen quickly and silently, often without any visible struggle, making it crucial to stay vigilant at all times.

A safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If the shooting player intends to play safe by pocketing an obvious object ball, then prior to the shot, he must declare a "safety" to his opponent. If this is NOT done, and one of the shooter's object balls is pocketed, the shooter will be required to shoot again.

Water Leaks

Water leaks are one of the most common hot tub problems. Various issues, including worn or damaged seals, cracks in the hot tub structure, or leaks in the plumbing, often cause them. One of the primary causes of water leaks in hot tubs is worn or damaged seals around the jets, pump, and other fixtures.

Like the move to create private bathrooms decades ago, the current shift toward bathtub-free spaces is coming from guest preferences. According to Sirna, guests are increasingly interested in more space, more sustainable hotel options and, maybe more than anything, cleanliness, when they travel.

Hot tubs are dangerous to the elderly health because they can breed infection-causing bacteria. They are dangerous for seniors who have high (or low) blood pressure, diabetes, or heart problems. Hot tubs should be avoided by elderly people who have chronic lung problems or who take certain medications.

What three types of people are advised not to use the hot tub? ›

Avoid alcohol before entering the hot tub.

Monitor the temperature of your hot tub Using a hot tub is not advised for certain people: pregnant women, children under five and people with high blood pressure or cardiac problems.

Look out for slime, a sour smell or unclear water – clear signs of a bacterial infestation. You can often see/smell the bacteria long before it becomes a serious problem. That's usually a symptom of bacteria in your hot tub.

Set temperature at or below 104 °F degrees for adults.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that temperatures above 104 °F (40 °C) are dangerous for adults because they can lead to heatstroke. For a comfortable soak, most people set their hot tub between 100 °F and 102 °f (37.5 °C - 39 °C).

Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising, even when a lifeguard is present, no matter how well the child can swim or how shallow the water.

Aim for a pH level of between 7 and 7.6. If the water pH is higher than 8, anyone who swims in the pool is at risk of skin rashes, while a pH of lower than 7 can sting swimmers' eyes. Some of the many factors that can affect your pool's pH level include heavy rain, the number of swimmers in the pool and chemicals.

Consider Weight Capacity

Ultimately, a safety cover is about keeping people and animals out of your pool, so safety should be your first priority. The cover must be strong enough to support a great deal of weight.