We all love getting in the hot water, especially after a long tiring day of work and stress.
Unfortunately, there are cases of people getting severely hurt or even drowning due to the lack of hot tub safety awareness. In some cases, these accidents have happened to the elderly/senior citizens. For this reason, it’s important to increase education around promoting safety tips around the hot tubs to avoid potential dangers. While relaxing is a priority, safety is an even bigger priority!
Hot Tub Temperature
This is the simplest yet most overlooked factor. When you are preparing hot water tubs, it is important to ensure that the temperature is not too high. When the temperature is extremely high, it may lead to health-related issues, especially on the skin. With those who have fragile skin, one must be careful of burns as well. For the elderly, start at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then very slowly adjust from there. In order to keep track of the temperature of the water, you can use a floating thermometer.
Medications and Prescription Drugs
Many of the elderly today have drugs that are prescribed to them by the doctor for various reasons. When a senior prescribed with medications and drugs wants to get into a hot water tub, it is very important to first consult their doctor. This is because the hot water in the tub, due to the period spent soaking, may lead to amplification of the medications. To avoid this from being a potential hazard to the body, it’s absolutely imperative to see your physician before soaking.
Electrocution
Although the chances of electrocution are slim, you never want to take chances. First, getting your hot tub professionally installed and making sure all the wiring is safe is highly recommended. Use battery-operated appliances instead of cord-connected appliances in and around your hot spa. Make sure overhead power lines and junction boxes are safely positioned. Know where all the electrical switches and circuit breakers and how to turn them off in an emergency. If ever, at any point, you feel uncomfortable in the hot tub, it’s better to get out and ensure everything is alright than to stay in.
Soaking Time
In addition to the tips given above, it is also important to limit the soak time in the hot water tub. For elderly / seniors, try starting off with a 10-15 minute soak to see how you feel. Once comfortable, move up to 20 minutes. We recommend no more than 30 minutes of soaking at a time. Sitting in hot water for a long time can cause severe heat-related illnesses, such as nausea, dizziness, or fainting. You only need around 15-20 minutes to feel the benefits of a hot tub!
