Picture this: you’ve just wrapped up your first full day on the slopes with your family, and are excited to get back to your hotel that you booked specifically for its standout feature: outdoor hot tubs. Your kiddos are clad in fluffy robes, ready to warm up those chattering teeth after being in the cold all day, before heading out for dinner. While this dreamy scenario seems foolproof, it’s a bit more complicated than that and begs the question, “Are hot tubs safe for kids?” The short answer is: sometimes. There are specific considerations before you let a child use a hot tub.
Hot tubs can be a major bonus of a family weekend away or a longer vacation. While they seem like harmless fun for all ages, it’s best to know the risks when bringing your kid into one to avoid any potentially harmful effects. Even adults should limit how long they stay in to prevent overheating. Whether it’s at your home, in a hotel, or in a vacation rental, there are a handful of other risks to consider when allowing your children to hang out in a hot tub.
We spoke to Kiara Dewitt, RN, CPN, a Certified Pediatric Nurse, Head of Clinical Operations at Medical Director Co, and pediatric neurology RN/ lead educator of neurology and neuroscience at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, to get some professional insight into the topic and some do’s and dont’s for making your hot tub time as safe as possible with kids.
Supervise, Supervise, Supervise
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Any time that children are around water, drowning is the primary concern. This applies to hot tubs just as much as pools, so children should never be unattended. If you have a hot tub at home, it’s best to use a cover with a lock to prevent any accidents. If you’re staying at a rental property like a cabin or at a hotel with a hot tub, you can enquire ahead of your stay to ask about the safety precautions in place, for peace of mind. They should also be within a fenced-in area to prevent kids from going in and out unnoticed. While it’s best to have the child’s main caretaker present, in cases where a babysitter is watching, they should be well-informed of the rules surrounding the hot tub, or just keep it off-limits while you’re away.
Age and Temperature Matter
People of varying ages handle extreme heat differently. Since young children typically can’t communicate how they’re feeling, it’s up to the parent or caretaker to make sure they’re of the appropriate age for using a hot tub. It’s also crucial to watch for warning signs of overheating. Dewitt recommends keeping the temperature at a maximum of 100°F for any child, and never, ever above 104°F. But for the safest soak, keep it more like a warm bath, at around 98°F, which would also maximize the amount of time they can stay in.
“Hot tubs are no joke for children under five,” Dewitt stressed. “Their systems are just not designed to handle the temperature changes that adults can. Once their core temperature goes past 100.5°F, you are well into heat stress territory. We are talking flushed skin, increased heart rate, and, in the worst-case scenario, fainting. Babies and toddlers can overheat very quickly and often with very little to no warning signs. You may not even notice it until they are both crying and limp (which is obviously too late),” she explained. She went on to explain that older, school-age children can safely soak with active adult supervision, and suggested that the adult-child ratios should be 1:1 at all times.
Short Soak Times Only
Dewitt suggests keeping soaking time for children above five to 10 minutes or less, and at a maximum of 15 minutes for older children (if the temperature is lower). Avoid letting them submerge their entire body; they should keep their shoulders and heads out of the water. They should never, ever put their head under, as hair can get caught in hot tub drains.“Ensure the child is hydrated before they get in and while they are out. Hydration alone will help prevent lightheadedness or that woozy, sluggish feeling some children get after getting out too quickly,” Dewitt recommended.
Beware of Germs
“Infections are the real wildcard here,” Dewitt stressed. Hot tubs should be freshly maintained and sanitized. If not, children have the potential to end up with ear infections or pseudomonas folliculitis, aka ‘hot tub rash’, which is caused by bacteria in pools or hot tubs, and is painful and itchy. That being said, Dewitt went on to explain that scrapes and open cuts should be a hefty no, as well as any kind of diaper (regular or swim). Test strips and treating hot tubs with the correct balance of chlorine or other safe chemicals like bromine will help keep bacteria away. “Let’s be real, no one wants a hot tub turned petri dish,” she emphasized. When booking a place to stay on vacation, it’s best to ask how often their hot tubs are cleaned and how they are maintained with chemical treatment.
Tips for Safe Soaking
- Make sure your child is sufficiently hydrated before and after going in the hot tub, and lower the temperature to at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep towels and water bottles near the tub, for easy access when it’s time to get out.
- If your child has any underlying health issues such as asthma, heart conditions, or seizure history, Dewitt recommends getting clearance from your Pediatrician ahead of going in the hot tub.
- Share the rules of the hot tub with your children, emphasizing that this is not a place for horseplay or head dunking of any kind.
- Evaluate the child’s color and breathing every five minutes; if they appear flushed, sluggish, or unusually quiet, get them out immediately and help them cool off.
The CDC (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention) is another fantastic resource that has also published general hot tub guidelines, including for children.
Family-Friendly Hot Tub Properties
With the proper knowledge, precautions, and limitations in place, hot tubs can be an enjoyable and safe way to relax as a family. If your children are the right age, a family-friendly hot tub or jacuzzi stays like these can be a fun introduction to hot tub soaking. This 2-bedroom cozy cabin in Breckenridge, Colorado, has an outdoor hot tub and is perfect for a ski trip. We also found the Club Destin hotel in Florida, with on-site hot tubs right on the beach.
