Hot Tub Safety _ Children And Pregnant Women Should Be WarnedHot tubs are a wonderful amenity for adults of all ages and backgrounds, but safety should be a number one concern. Most people enjoy sitting and relaxing while getting soothed and massaged, but along with the benefit and advantages that is has to offer, it can be dangerous for certain groups of people, particularly children and pregnant women. Just like a pool, a hot tub is a dangerous area for children and they should not be left alone in the area of a hot tub. It is possible that, despite the fact that it is not necessarily as deep as a pool, a child can fall in and those who do not know how to swim can drown even in shallow waters. Children must be guarded and watched at all times so that they don't go near the hot tub and that they walk carefully around it so they don't fall in. Hot tub covers are very effective for this reason because they cover the water, preventing anyone from falling in. Also, the heat and the steam may not be good for children under a certain age and they should therefore not be taken in to a hot tub. It is also recommended that pregnant women not use a hot tub, or if they have to use one, to use extreme caution. Even though it is not guaranteed, women are told that there is a small risk and therefore most women will refrain from this activity during their pregnancies. Doctors warn that a hot tub can cause damage to the fetus, sometimes even causing a miscarriage. Expecting mothers should not use a hot tub that it too hot, even for those who generally have a high tolerance for high temperatures. The reasons for this are because the heat can raise the heart rate which, in turn, allows for less blood to be sent to the fetus, and this causes stress and can severely harm the baby. When carrying a child in the womb, it is important to have stable body temperatures and to keep the body temperatures low, which is why a hot tub is not recommended. Another reason for concern is that other people who use the hot tub spa may have diseases or germs that, despite the cleaners and the chemicals that are used to sanitize the water, may cause harm to the mother and her child. Despite these concerns, though, women still continue to use hot tubs during pregnancy. In counter with the temperature concern, these women make sure that the water is kept at much lower levels than usual. The highest temperature that is generally permitted is 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with the cooler water, women claim that they feel rejuvenated by the water and they still benefit from the massaging sensations that the jets provide when they shoot out the water onto the back and the legs. |