Hot tubs and spas may feel like relaxation, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns they carry serious hidden dangers — including electrocution, hair entrapment, body entrapment, and drowning. 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 underwater. In one incident, a 16-year-old girl drowned when her body was sucked against a drain on the bottom of a spa, forming a vacuum seal that held her underwater.
Entrapment Hazards
Under normal conditions, pipes leading from a spa’s drain draw water from the unit, creating suction. If something blocks the drain, the suction increases dramatically. This increased suction can trap parts of a person’s body, hold them underwater, or in the case of young children sitting on uncovered drain outlets, cause serious internal injuries including disembowelment. Current safety standards require that each spa have two outlets for each pump to lessen the suction at any single outlet, but older or improperly maintained spas may not meet these requirements.
Electrocution Hazards
Electricity and water are a deadly combination. There have been 60 deaths and nearly 50 serious shocks reported over a 13-year period involving electrical hazards in and around swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. Faulty underwater lighting, aging electrical wiring, and electrical appliances such as radios and extension cords that fall into the water are among the most common causes. All of these hazards present an even greater risk when circuits and nearby receptacles are not protected by Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (GFCIs).
Safety Tips
- Make sure your spa has dual drains and drain covers required by current safety standards. Regularly have a professional check your spa or hot tub and ensure that drain covers are in place, not cracked or missing.
- Know where the cut-off switch for your pump is so you can turn it off immediately in an emergency.
- Keep long hair tied up or in a swim cap when using a hot tub or spa.
- Never allow children to play near or sit on spa drains.
- Have a qualified electrician inspect and upgrade your spa or hot tub’s electrical system in accordance with applicable local codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Ensure that all electrical wires and junction boxes are at least five feet from water.
- Never use extension cords or electrical appliances near the spa.
- Be aware that consuming alcohol while using a spa can lead to drowning.
- Keep the water temperature at 104 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
- Never allow young children to use a spa without close adult supervision.
To report a dangerous spa or hot tub or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/1996/CPSC-Issues-Warning-for-Pools-Spas-and-Hot-Tubs
