Spa Waters Hide Danger

Injuries and deaths have occurred when people’s hair was sucked into the drain of a spa, hot tub or whirlpool bathtub, trapping victims underwater, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports. The suction from drain outlets is strong enough to trap hair or body parts and cause drowning. Most of the accidents involve people with hair shoulder-length or longer.

In several incidents, children’s hair was sucked into drains when they leaned forward while playing in the water.

Here are some safety precautions to help prevent hair entrapment in your spa, hot tub, or whirlpool bathtub:

* Make sure the spa meets current safety standards for dual drains and drain covers.

* Keep long hair away from the suction-fitting drain cover with a bathing cap or hairpins.

* Never allow a child to play in a way that could permit the child’s hair to come near the drain cover.

* Always supervise children around a spa, hot tub, whirlpool bathtub, wading pool or swimming pool.

* Always use a locked safety cover when the spa is not in use.

* Have your spa or hot tub inspected regularly. Shut down the spa until cracked or missing covers are replaced.

* Know how to cut power to the pump in an emergency.

* Be aware that consuming alcohol while using a spa could lead to drowning.

* Keep the water temperature in the spa at or below 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Body Part Entrapment

Since 1980, regulators have received reports of 18 incidents in which parts of the body have been trapped by pool, wading pool, spa and hot tub drains. Five people have died; 10 others were disemboweled. The commission helped develop a standard requiring dome-shaped drain outlets and two outlets for each pump. Consumers with older spas should have new drain covers installed and should consider getting a spa with two drains.

Hot Tub Temperatures

There have also been reports of deaths from extremely hot water (about 110 degrees Fahrenheit) in a spa. High temperatures can cause drowsiness or unconsciousness. Elevated body temperature also can lead to heat stroke and death. Spa water temperatures should never exceed 104 degrees. Pregnant women and young children should not use a spa until they have consulted with a physician.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission