Spa Safety

A Few Simple Rules To Keep Your Spa Safe and Worry-Free

Keep Your Head Above Water

Spas are equipped with drains and pumps that can create a powerful suction. And though today’s spas are designed to minimize the risk, it is possible for hair to become tangled in the drain — keeping your head under water. To ensure your safety in the spa, keep you head above water and wear long hair up.

Always Accompany Children!

Children should be watched carefully by an adult in any water situation, but the suction in your spa means you need to be even more vigilant. This is especially true when small children are in the spa. For the safest experience for your child, join them in the spa — and make sure to keep it securely covered when you’re not around.

Turn Down the Heat

As tempting as it is to crank up the heat in your spa, soaking in too high a temperature for too long can raise your body heat to dangerous levels. The maximum safe soaking temperature is 100° to 102° — and only for about 15 minutes. If you like to spend more time in your spa, turn the heat down even more.

Check with Your Doctor

Pregnant women, and people with heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure and other serious illnesses should check with their physician before entering a spa.

Keep It Clean

Warm water can become a breeding ground for bacteria and microorganisms, so it’s important to keep spa water clean, sanitized and chemically balanced to avoid the risk of infection.

Watch the Alcohol

While the idea of relaxing in the spa while sipping a glass of wine or cold beer might sound fantastic, it’s important to know that hot water can amplify the effects of alcohol. The same can be true for some prescription drugs. To be on the safe side, check with your doctor about any prescription drugs you’re taking, and consider trading the wine and beer for juice and sparkling water.

Bring a Buddy

Share a spa with someone else! You can ensure each other’s safety and enjoy the experience even more.

PLEASE NOTE: The safety tips listed above are provided as a tool to help you, your family, and guests enjoy a safe water environment. They are not intended as an exclusive reference for those using a residential swimming area or as a substitute for professional advice. Please refer to a qualified pool expert regarding proper safety installation and operation of your pool or spa as well as safety measures and equipment.

Spa Maintenance

Maintenance on your hot tub is easy, requiring only a few moments to keep your hot tub always ready to enjoy. After the initial balancing of your water, it only needs to be sanitized periodically. To keep your hot tub looking vibrant and new, the following maintenance suggestions make it even easier to clean and maintain your hot tub.

Filter Maintenance

One of the most effective ways to keep your hot tub in first-class shape is through proper cleaning and maintenance of your filter. To ensure that your water filtered properly, you should clean the hot tub filter or change it out (depending on the filter type) at least every five to six weeks. This time period may vary slightly, based on hot tub usage.

When cleaning the filter, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If your filter is replaceable, it’s a good idea to keep a second filter on hand for uninterrupted hot tub fun. This allows for a quick change-out so you can resume your hot tub activities without missing a beat.

Water Maintenance

Your hot tub water has a life of its own, and with that comes a unique set of challenges. Your authorized hot tub dealer can provide you with the guidance you need to select the appropriate chemicals to keep a sparkling clean hot tub under any conditions. There are three main components to water maintenance – water filtration, chemical balance/pH control and water sanitation.

Water sanitation can be achieved through the regular addition of a sanitizer that has been recommended by your hot tub dealer. The sanitizer – typically a bromine- or chlorine-based product – controls the bacteria and algae in the hot tub water.

The introduction of the bacteria-fighting chemicals necessitates that you monitor the chemical balance of your water. You will have to add chemicals to maintain proper levels of Total Alkalinity (TA), Calcium Hardness (CH) and pH. Frequent testing of the water – preferably weekly – will allow you to maintain the balance and minimize such hot tub trouble makers as scale buildup and the corrosion of metals.

Your authorized hot tub dealer can point you toward the appropriate chemicals, but there are two types of testing methods recommended – Reagent Test kits and Test strips. The kit provides the greatest accuracy and is available in a liquid or tablet form. The strips offer greater convenience, but can be less precise.

Draining the hot tub

Most hot tub manufacturers also recommend that the hot tub be drained every two or three months. Your hot tub owner’s manual will provide detailed instructions on how to drain your model, or contact your authorized hot tub dealer. Here are some important tips to remember when draining a hot tub:

Always turn the power off and disconnect the hot tub from the power source.
Select a safe, suitable drainage area that is capable of safely assimilating several hundred gallons of water. This may include both unsanitary contaminants and chemical residue that could prove harmful to plants or grass.

Away from home

When you are away from home, be sure to protect your hot tub as you would the other valuables in your home. With a few simple steps, you’ll keep your hot tub performing at peak capacity.

Short periods (3 to 5 days)

Adjust the pH
Sanitize the water
Lock the cover for safety

Long periods (5 to 14 days)

Set temperature to its lowest level (approximate water temperature of 80 degrees F)
Adjust the pH
Sanitize the water
Lock the cover for safety

When you return

Sanitize the water, following shock procedures
Return the water temperature to the original setting
Ensure that the chlorine level has dropped below 5 parts per million

If you plan to be gone longer than 14 days, follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for extended absences. In most cases, it is advisable to drain the hot tub and restart when you return.

Surface maintenance

In addition to caring for the internal working parts, the exterior of your hot tub needs maintenance from time to time. Steer clear of household chemicals when cleaning the shell – your authorized hot tub dealer can give you some tips on safe solvents, if it becomes necessary. Be sure to rinse the hot tub shell with fresh water if you do use any cleaning agents.

The majority of the hot tub shells manufactured today are fashioned from acrylic, which makes them very resistant to dirt and stains. In most cases, a soft rag should suffice for buildup removal. If something more aggressive is needed, contact your authorized hot tub dealer for suggestions.

In some areas, water supplies have higher concentrations of iron or copper. These metals can stain the hot tub shell. Your authorized hot tub dealer will be able to provide you with a recommendation for a stain or scale inhibitor to use if your water falls into this category.

Many shell cabinets fall into the maintenance-free category. The only cleaning these outer surfaces should ever require is a quick rinse to remove any debris that has collected on the surface. In most cases, water will remove any buildup. If you do encounter a stubborn spot, lightly wash the area with mild soap and water. Do not use any chemicals - these may etch the surface.

Like the rest of the hot tub, the cover should be constructed of durable material designed to withstand the elements. However, it needs proper care as well to ensure a long life.

Do not sit or stand on the cover.
Do not let snow build up on your cover.
Periodically clean the cover as recommended by the manufacturer.
Do not drag your cover over rough surfaces.
Always lift by the handles.
Use tie down tabs to prevent the wind from lifting the cover from your outdoor hot tub.

Spa Choices

A Size and Style for Every Backyard

Free-standing spas come in a variety of sizes and shapes, with lots of colors, features, accessories and designer touches to choose from as well. Whether you’re including a spa as an exciting part of a larger poolscape design, or as an independent relaxation destination, you need to go with a spa brand you can trust. Here are some of our preferred spa partners:

Coleman® Spas are built with the experience and expertise that comes with a rich 110 year history — continuing a proud tradition with a complete line-up of finely crafted state-of-the-art hot tubs that you can trust for your everyday relaxation and for creating special family memories. Coleman® Spas are available in size options that can accommodate as few as three, up to as many as six — so your whole family can enjoy the backyard spa experience. Learn more about Coleman® Spas

Step outside your fast-paced life and into the soothing, effervescent waters of your new Shoreline Spa. Now offering two distinct series and more than a dozen models, the Shoreline line has the perfect fit for every spa enthusiast. Available in a wide range of sizes and colors, a Shoreline spa will bring a sense of beauty to your backyard and a sense of serenity to your life. Learn more about Shoreline Spas

Built to last and designed for comfort, Garden Leisure Spas offer everything discerning spa owners crave — ample room, first-class amenities, high-performance pumps and a wide range of jets. Add to that an impressive variety of sizes, styles and colors, and Garden Leisure Spas® not only ensure a professional-quality rubdown, they promise a relaxing lifestyle experience your entire family will love. Learn more about Garden Leisure Spas

Cove Spas offer a private refuge at an affordable price. Choose from a wide range of models with a variety of size, shape, color and jet configuration options — all featuring first-class amenities and quality construction. Learn more about Cove Spas

Spa Accessories

Spa Features

Today, it’s easier than ever to turn the hot tub you see on the showroom floor into the customized centerpiece of your backyard. From lighting options to sound systems, aromatherapy, and landscaping, it’s easy to create your own experience. And these days, you can control the electronics with the convenience of a remote control.

Lighting

Lighting features are popular on today’s hot tub models, and the choices are plentiful. Design lighting around your personality, or use it to create the perfect mood. If you plan to spend your nights in your hot tub, soft interior lighting serves a dual purpose—providing the perfect mood-setting atmosphere and lighting the way when getting in and out. Fiber optic lights give you an ambient, color-changing array of lights that provides an interesting, upbeat look when entertaining guests.

Audio

What will be the soundtrack for your hot tub experience? Heighten the experience with a surround sound system. Many hot tub models come equipped with built-in and pop-up speakers and the sound systems have the option of attaching a CD or DVD player. Some come equipped with special transducers that transform the hot tub into a giant stereo speaker, which sends sound waves through the bottom of the tub and into the water.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses essential plant oils to affect mood and promote health. The essences are usually inhaled, but topical application also can be effective for healthy skin and numerous physical conditions. Many hot tubs offer aromatherapy options, allowing your favorite scents to infuse the warm water. Here are some aromatherapy examples:

Lavender soothes with a sweet, floral scent. Use it for insomnia, headaches, burns or infection.
Lemon refreshes with a fresh, clean, citrus aroma and can be used for detoxification, fatigue and oily skin.
Eucalyptus energizes with a penetrating, woody scent. Use it for colds, flu, muscle ache and poor circulation.
Ginger energizes with a spicy, warm scent. Use it for flu, muscle aches, and nausea.

Landscaping

Landscaping plays a big role in the overall look and feel of today’s hot tub and home spa retreats. When choosing an outdoor location, consider the surroundings. A deck or patio is ideal to set up your hot tub retreat. Professional landscaping can transform the area completely. In areas that cannot be landscaped, beautify the area by including potted plants or planting boxes. You can even add water features like fountains and waterfalls. Try enclosing your hot tub with a gazebo for privacy and to enhance the feeling of an incredible getaway.

Accessories

Accessory options are endless with today’s hot tubs. From seat padding and drink trays to more technologically-advanced add-ons like fiber optic mood lighting and electronic devices, you can customize your hot tub to your exact specifications.Many manufacturers now offer hot tubs equipped with televisions, DVD players and full surround sound stereo systems. You also can add steps for easy access. Towel warmers and closets are a great way to keep necessary items within reach, saving space and time. A deck surround can make your hot tub as attractive as it is comfortable.

Covers

One simple way to maintain a hot tub is to keep it covered and protected from the elements. Most hot tubs come with a cover, but if you need a replacement cover due to damage or loss, follow these steps to obtain the perfect replacement.

Determine the cover size the hot tub needs. Measuring the top of the tub may not always give you the correct information regarding which size you need. Some covers simply cover the top of the hot tub, while other covers drape over the sides. If you are unsure as to which cover type you need, research information regarding the particular hot tub you own to find out what cover it requires.
Decide whether a soft or hard cover is best for your hot tub. Some styles of hot tubs can utilize either hard or soft covers effectively, while other types will need one type or the other to offer proper protection from the elements.
Choose a hot tub cover with a superior R-value. “R-value” refers to the amount of insulation value the hot tub cover material has. A well-insulated cover protects the hot tub interior from heat and sunlight.
Look for a hot tub cover that carries a warranty. The cover serves as a protection for your hot tub; you will want to ensure that can be replaced if it does not perform properly. Check with the merchant for an easy-maintenance cover so you purchase a cover that is easy to clean and care for.
Think about safety, particularly whether you have children or whether there are children living in proximity to your home. The hot tub cover should be heavy enough that a small child could not lift the cover and enter the tub. You will also want a cover that will not collapse if a child or small animal crawls on top of the tub.

Salt Systems for Hot Tubs

For years, the benefits of saltwater have been enjoyed by swimming pool owners. Salt systems have proven to be safe, effective and eco-friendly. And now this technology is available for hot tub owners. Some benefits of a salt system include smoother, softer-feeling water, less odor, reduced eye irritation, safe for equipment, adjusted sanitizer lever and low maintenance. A salt system allows the user to more precisely control the sanitizer output, often requiring lower levels to achieve water purity. One of the advantages of these systems is that as the hypochlorous acid is used up, the chlorine recycles back into salt. So with a salt chlorine generator, the salt only has to be topped off occasionally due to hot tub water splash out, and replenished when the water is changed.