Soaking in a warm, bubbling outdoor hot tub is soothing at any time of year, but in cold weather it can feel particularly delightful as the water warms your body. However, extra care is needed to keep safe in your hot tub during the fall and winter seasons.
Conventional precautions for hot tub use, like proper water disinfection, should be followed year round. When the outside temperature falls low extra precautions are required. Here are some winter safety tips for using your hot tub. Follow these tips and you’ll safely enjoy a warm, winter escape.
Think About Your Body
Being outside in the frosty air, submerged in warm bubbly water may be one of the reasons why you acquired your hot tub in the first place. But when a winter blast comes, safeguard your health by wearing a hat, even when immersed in your hot tub’s heated water. When you get out of your tub you’ll be in a wet bathing suit, so when going to and from the hot tub, be sure to wear a bathrobe and slippers.
Likewise, you should think about where you’ll keep your robe and slippers while in the hot tub. If you leave them out on a chair they might be stiff and cold and of not much use when getting out of the warm water. Try keeping them nearby in an empty cooler or on a warming towel rack instead.
Be Smart About Soak Times
The longer you remain in your hot tub, the higher your body temperature climbs. While it may be appealing to stay in the comforting warmth of your hot tub when the outside air is cold, try to limit your soak time to about twenty minutes Moving from extreme heat to extreme cold can place stress on your body.
Set Your Thermostat to the Right Temperature
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, water should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit. While submerged in warm water, your body can’t properly regulate its temperature through perspiration. The hazards are real if the water temperature is too high. You could suffer a heat stroke, become light headed and faint, or become drowsy, which may lead to unconsciousness, resulting in drowning.
In cold weather, you may be more likely to increase the temperature to an unsafe level. The parts of your body that are exposed to frosty air may also obscure your sense of internal temperature and you may be hotter than you realize. So, be conservative. When it’s cold outside, limit your water temperature to 100 degrees.
Stay Hydrated
Keeping hydrated when you’re using your hot tub is always essential. During the winter, we recommend drinking warm or room-temperature beverages while soaking to keep you hydrated while contending with the cold. Since alcohol can intensify the effects of dehydration, it’s best to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while in your hot tub.
Skip the Shoveling
Hot water that splashes onto the deck or a shoveled pathway to your hot tub can freeze and produce icy surfaces that are a slip and fall hazard. One way to avoid this is to not bother with shoveling a path to the hot tub and, instead, use an electric heated mat that melts snow on contact. A heated mat provides you with a safe surface to walk on between your hot tub and doorway.
Keep It Covered
A properly insulated cover can reduce the energy requirements of your hot tub during the cold winter months. Make sure your hot tub cover has a tight-fitting seal. A high-quality cover in good condition will help your hot tub maintain a constant high temperature, even when the weather is frigid.
A well-insulated cover also lessens the energy needed to run your hot tub by helping to keep the heat in. And, because snow, sleet and rain can alter the water chemistry, a high quality cover will decrease the amount of chemicals you’ll need.
Be careful when removing the cover when preparing to use your hot tub. Completely sweep off any snow before removing the cover. Use a broom instead of a shovel to remove any snow that’s accumulated on top of the cover because a shovel has the potential of damaging your cover.
Don’t Refill Your Hot Tub with Snow
If your outside taps are turned off, avoid the temptation to use snow to top off your hot tubs’ water level. Snow, with all its impurities, will affect the chemical balance of the water. And you don’t want to be frequently adding chemicals. It’s okay turn your tap on to refill your hot tub with clean water and then, to avoid the line freezing, turn it off after.
Avoid Cold Weather Accidents
Take additional caution to make sure that your filters remain clean throughout the cold months. If the circulation and heater pumps don’t have adequate flow, your hot tub could go into protection mode and shut down. There is a risk of your hot tubs’ plumbing freezing if the heater pumps shut down and you’re not aware of it. If you haven’t already done so, you should install new filters before we get into the coldest part of the winter season.
In Summary
Soaking in the warm water of your hot tub during the winter is relaxing, rejuvenating, is good for muscle aches and circulation, and a lot of fun! At the same time, there are potential dangers that you need to be aware of. You can fully enjoy the benefits of hot tubbing in the cold weather by following our winter safety tips for using your hot tub.
Crystal Waters Hot Tubs is here to answer any questions you have about safe winter hot tub use. We also can provide you with all the supplies you need to maintain your hot tub in winter. Stop in to our showroom any time, or browse our shop to see what we have in stock!
