You’ve ventured into owning your own home swim spa and hot tub that guarantees year-round health benefits, exercise and relaxation. Just like any appliance, following some simple steps will help assure the water in your home swim spa is a safe place for all to enjoy.
So, what are some water safety tips for your home swim spa and hot tub?
Keeping safe is part of the fun and recreation of having a home swim spa, so checking water levels, periodically draining the water, cleaning the filter and implementing child-safety rules should all be part of your water safety plan.
With safety as your top priority, below is a list of our water safety tips for your home swim spa.
What Are Water Safety Tips For Your Home Swim Spa & Kids ?
Taking safety measures will create years of enjoyment and relaxation every time you step into your home swim spa, especially if you have children in your home. Here are some water safety tips for you and your family:
• Teach Children To Swim: Any child — or adult— heading into any body of water should know how to swim. If your child does not know how to swim, your home swim spa is the perfect place to provide swim lessons.
• Swim Spa Cover: Whenever the tub is not in use, make sure the top is covered with a safety lock securely in place.
• Safety Guidelines: Setting rules like “No Diving” and insisting on entering and exiting your home swim spa the correct way are good measures to reinforce safe and fun times.
• Lighting: Install adequate lighting for easy viewing if you plan to be in the water at night.
• CPR: Anyone can learn CPR and having this knowledge can provide you with life-saving techniques.
What is Considered Safe Water Temperature for Your Swim Spa & Hot Tub?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), you should keep water temperature at or below 104°F, and consider 98°F with children in the home. To assure water temperature remains at a safe zone, only allow adults to use the controls. There are temperature controls that help make your home swim spa’s water temperature never exceed 104°F.
Additionally, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) notes that infants should not go in the home swim spa or hot tub since their skin is more susceptible to overheating. The APSP also recommends that toddlers and other young children should not be allowed in a hot tub unless they can stand on the bottom and have their heads completely out of the water.
How Often Should You Check Water Levels?
It is good practice to check for proper pH and sanitation levels in your home swim spa each week, and even 2-3 times a week if you use your home swim spa frequently. Proper levels are considered to be 7.4 – 7.6 pH and 2 – 4 ppm free chlorine.
A simple check by using test strips easily helps you determine the water’s levels so you can make appropriate adjustments, if needed. Keeping chemicals on hand assures you are always ready to keep your spa water balanced and healthy.
How Many Gallons of Water Does Your Home Swim Spa Hold?
By knowing how many gallons of water your swim spa holds, you can make accurate adjustments that keeps the water at the correct safety levels. The amount of chemicals needed to make adjustments is based on the gallons of water your swim spa/hot tub holds. You can check your owner’s manual to verify how much water your system holds.
How Often Should I Clean My Filter?
Rinsing your filter once a month should be part of your water maintenance routine. To help you remember, schedule a rinsing at the same time every month. Clean your filter by soaking it overnight in a container with filter cleaner. Before re-inserting the filter into your home swim spa, rinse it with clean water.
You should also replace the filter once a year. Upon purchasing a new filter, read cleaning directions on the packages to see if there are any special directions.
When Do You Need To Drain the Water?
Depending on how often you use your home swim spa and hot tub, who is using it and where the swim spa is located, you should generally drain the water every six months.
Related Question
What Is a Home Swim Spa?
A home swim spa is a mix between a hot tub and a swimming pool. Most home swim spas consist of a small pool area and a separate seated hot tub section. The way the water circulates within the home swim spa, you can continuously swim — with no turns necessary.
Summary
Your home swim spa and hot tub is designed to deliver health benefits and entertainment for years to come and being mindful of water safety tips, you and your family will stay safe and healthy year-round.
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