Hot tubs are a safe enjoyable way to feel better and relax or to entertain and enjoy the company of friends. There are a few things all spa owners must keep in mind to make sure your family and everyone you allow to use your spa can enjoy the experience in the safest possible way.
Let’s look at a few safety tips related to all spas:
- Know your local codes and laws related to pools/spas and water features on your property. These laws are put in place to keep you safe. Often you can find the information online through your local government websites.
- Properly follow the instructions provided with your spa for set up, operations and maintenance.
- Teach other members of your household how to safely operate and enjoy the spa.
- Keep your spa covered and locked when not in use.
- Maintain your water quality as recommended by your dealer or the manufacturer.
When you buy a hot tub from Dream Maker Spas it comes with a user manual that explains the proper set up of your spa, but it is up to you to know the local codes and laws. Some of these codes or laws may be to insure your source for electricity is properly placed and in compliance for outdoor use. Others are to protect children from accidental drowning. For this blog article we’ll focus on a couple aspects of these two important issues – electric and child safety.
Your Hot Tub’s Electricity Source
Your hot tub from Dream Maker Spas comes with a 12’ power cord with a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) plug. It is recommended that your spa is plugged into a covered outlet that is at least 5 feet away from your spa. This is to avoid water from coming into contact with the plug, which could cause damage to your outlet and place you or others at risk of electrical shock. Never use other electrical appliances such as radios or plugged in cell phones near your spa.
Never use an extension cord for your hot tub. The cord provided with your spa is the proper length and gauge for current to travel safely from the electrical outlet to your spa. An extension cord forces the current to travel a longer distance and may result in a voltage drop or the cord overheating.
If you choose a factory installed upgrade to a 4kW heating system, have a certified electrician prepare for your installation with a 30 or 50 Amp 240-Volt electrical service.
Child Safety
Many communities have laws to protect children from accidental drowning. Those laws typically require pools and spas to be enclosed by a fence and protected with a locked gate. It is important that you remain in compliance with these laws. Do not allow access to your spa by any unauthorized user or unsupervised child.
Dream Maker Spas come with a super seal cover that interlocks the cover to the spa for energy efficiency. On all 4 sides of the cover there are safety straps with a clip and easy to install locks. When the hot tub is not in use, these locks provide an extra layer of protection. Not only can they help protect your spa during turbulent weather, they also can help prevent unintended accidents by children or pets.
A few ounces of protection can help keep your family safe.
For more information about proper installations and other safety information, refer to your user manual and your local laws.