Before You Take A Dip In That Public Hot Tub Water, Care Should Be Taken – Some Tips

Be it on a vacation, business tour, or while visiting a spa, we often pamper ourselves by taking a dip in a public spa or hot tub. So it’s good to be prepared and reassure yourself that the facilities are hygienic and well maintained, since it’s your health and safety that are at stake here. Here are some tips.

Healthy soaking and healthy water

1. Clear water free from any color or tint is a must. In case the water is colored or soiled, chances are that the water is not healthy and that the filter may be unclean. It also means that the spa has not been cleaned adequately or that the water is stale.

2. Don’t dip in foam. The presence of foam indicates a presence of algaecides, which though harmless, may give way to contaminants in the water because of inadequate oxidation along with poor filtration. This may result in bacterial growth in water, so it is best to stay out of foamy water.

3. Fresh smell. Gear up your senses for the fresh smell of water, which can be felt in a well-maintained tub. The smell of chlorine indicates that it has reacted with dirty water resulting in not enough free chlorine in the water to destroy the pollutants. Free chlorine is necessary to disinfect and keep the water clean. If the water smells musty the chances are that the filter is dirty, or that the water and the tub have not been thoroughly cleaned and treated.

Safe facilities make for safe soaking

1. Safety signs. Read carefully and follow all safety precautions.

2. Drain covers. Be sure to check that the spa/hot tub drain covers are in tact, not misplaced or defective. In case the drain cover is unavailable or faulty, the spa should not be used. Usually a spa has double drains and anti-entrapment drain covers. Such covers have the certification visibly etched on them.

3. Rescue equipment. Where are those located? Is the staff close by? Whereabouts of the emergency phone numbers?

4. Emergency switches. Find out the emergency cut-off switch nearest to the spa which can turn off the circulation system in case it is necessary.

Overall maintenance

Check whether the surrounding area is well maintained or not. Is it free of rust, clean of trash? Be sure that the decks are free of debris, dirt, glass, etc. At times these can be indicators of how safe the facilities are.

By: Swati Banerjee

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