Government Guidelines for Children in Hot Tubs

Drowning

• Hot tubs pose a serious drowning risk for children. According to a 1990 report in the American Journal of Public Health, the number of childhood drowning deaths in hot tubs increased ten-fold between 1967 and 1985. Since 1990, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported more than 800 hot tubs related deaths, at the time of publication. One-fifth of those drowning were children under the age of five. The U.S. government recommends placing a locked safety cover on hot tubs that are not in use. In addition, children should only be allowed near hot tubs under constant adult supervision.

Hair Entanglement

• At the time of publication, the CPSC reports at least 43 cases of hair entanglement in hot tubs since 1990. Twelve of these incidents lead to death by drowning. When sitting in a hot tub, or when placing heads under the water in a hot tub, a child’s hair can be sucked into a drain cover. Most hot tub manufacturers now offer drain covers to help prevent this problem. The CPSC recommends never letting children play with their heads under water in a hot tub and making sure all supervising adults know where the cut-off switch is for the hot tub pump. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also recommends adults tie up the long hair of children.

Body Part Entanglement

• At the time of publication, since 1990, the SPSC has had at least 74 reports of people having body parts sucked into hot tub or pool drains, resulting in 15 deaths -- two of them by disembowelment. Newer hot tubs have domes over their drains to help prevent this problem. The SPSC recommends installing such domes before allowing anyone to use an older hot tub.

Water Temperature

• Death can also occur due to water temperature being too high. Both children and adults may fall unconscious or have a heart problem. The CPSC recommends never letting the water in a hot tub go over 104 degrees F. In addition, small children not be allowed in a hot tub without permission from a pediatrician, who should also recommend a time limit for children in hot tubs.

Additional Reccomendations

• The CPSC recommends constant adult supervision when children are in or near a hot tub. This means not looking away, even for an instant. They also all recommend supervising adults take a class on CPR for children. In addition, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment encourages alarms on doors and windows that allow access to hot tubs.