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June's - Tip For Parents
From ISVI's Health Services Department
Spas, Hot Tubs, and Whirlpools
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
helped develop standards to prevent hair entanglement and body-part entrapment
in spas, hot tubs, and whirlpools. These standards should help prevent deaths
and injuries. Consumers should fix their old spas, hot tubs, and whirlpools with
new, safer drain covers. CPSC warns about these hazards.
Drownings -- The main hazard from
hot tubs and spas is the same as that from pools - drowning. Since 1980, CPSC
has reports of more than 700 deaths in spas and hot tubs. About one-third of
those were drownings to children under age five. Consumers should keep a locked
safety cover on the spa whenever it is not in use and keep children away unless
there is constant adult supervision.
Hair Entanglement -- Since 1978, CPSC has reports of 49
incidents (including 13 deaths) in which people's hair was sucked into the
suction fitting of a spa, hot tub, or whirlpool, causing the victim's head to be
held under water. Hair entanglement occurs when a bather's hair becomes
entangled in a drain cover as the water and hair are drawn through the drain. In
some incidents, children were playing a "hold your breath the longest" game.
Permitting their long hair to be sucked into the drain. CPSC helped develop a
voluntary standard for drain covers that helps reduce the risk of hair
entrapment. Consumers should be sure they have new drain covers that meet this
standard. If you are not sure, call a pool or spa professional to check the spa.
Never allow a child to play in a way that could permit the child's hair to come
near the drain cover. If a drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the spa
until the cover is replaced.
Bodypart Entrapment -- CPSC knows of 18 incidents since
1980 in which parts of the body have been entrapped by the strong suction of the
drain of pools, wad-ing pools, spas, and hot tubs. Of these, 10 resulted in
dis-embowelment and 5 other people died. CPSC helped develop a standard
requiring dome-shaped drain outlets and two outlets for each pump. This reduces
the powerful suction if one drain is blocked. Consumers with older spas should
have new drain covers installed and may want to consider getting a spa with two
drains.
Hot Tub Temperatures -- CPSC
knows of several deaths from extremely hot water (approximately 110 degrees
Fahrenheit) in a spa. High temperatures can cause drowsiness which may lead to
unconsciousness, resulting in drowning. In addition, raised body temperature can
lead to heat stroke and death. In 1987, CPSC helped develop requirements for
temperature controls to make sure that spa water temperatures never exceed 104
degrees Fahrenheit. Pregnant women and young children should not use a spa
before consulting with a physician.
CPSC recommends these safety precautions when using a
hot tub, spa, or whirlpool:
1. Always use a locked safety cover when the
spa is not in use and keep young children away from spas or hot tubs unless
there is constant adult supervision.
2. Make sure the spa has the dual drains and
drain covers required by current safety standards.
3. Regularly have a professional check your spa
or hot tub and make sure it is in good, safe working condition, and that drain
covers are in place and not cracked or missing. Check the drain covers
yourself throughout the year.
4. Know where the cut-off switch for your pump
is so you can turn it off in an emergency.
5. Be aware that consuming alcohol while using
a spa could lead to drowning.
6. Keep the temperature of the water in the spa
at 104 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
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