Children may play a “hold your breath the longest” game, which permits long hair to be sucked into the drain. The child’s hair gets entangled in a drain cover as the water and hair are drawn through the drain. Since 1990, the CPSC reports of 43 incidents (including 12 deaths) in which people’s hair was sucked into the suction fitting of a spa, hot tub, or whirlpool, causing the person’s head to be held under water. The CPSC states that spas and hot tubs should be covered with a locked safety cover when not in use, and children should be kept away unless there is constant adult supervision.

About one-fifth of those deaths were drownings of children under the age of five. AccidentsĪccording to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), drowning is the main hazard associated with hot tubs and spas. But after reading about the safety of hot tubs and children, I wanted, as both a parent and a pediatrician, to make sure other parents were aware of the additional hazards a hot tub can pose for children, and of how to make your hot tub experience with your children a safe one. I envisioned spending many summer nights with my family - which includes my 6-year-old, 4-year old, and 2-year-old - soaking in the hot tub. I had always wanted a hot tub, so recently my family “splurged” and we got one.

Body heat movie tub