Hot tubs and sauna baths have proven to be an effective way of relieving pain and exhaustion after a hard long day. You can have them installed at home in your backyard or visit the public spa room for a nice relaxing soak. The activity seems straightforward enough, but there are several safety concerns to address before you take the plunge. When using a hot tub, the following safety tips come in handy to ensure a pleasant, safe, and relaxing spa session.

Avoid it during pregnancy
Soaking in a hot tub may sound like the ideal way to relax, but it is not safe to do this during pregnancy. The water temperature is not suitable for the fetus growing in the womb, and there is a risk of babies being born with certain neural tube defects. Also, women may experience dehydration, low blood pressure, and dizziness during pregnancy. Soaking in a hot tub, or even sitting in a steam sauna, only increases this risk, as both activities raise the core body temperature unnaturally.

Don’t drink alcohol
It is usual for you to have a glass of wine or your favorite alcoholic beverage while enjoying a nice relaxing soak. However, it is always a good idea to have your food and drinks later. The hot water in the tub intensifies the intoxicating effects of spirits and liquor. One can experience sudden hot flashes and may even feel drowsy due to overheating and exhaustion. The effects of alcohol also make it difficult to stay conscious of the high body temperature. It is better to drink some cold water at frequent intervals to keep the body cool.

Find a soak buddy
It may sound unusual at first, but one of the essential safety tips when using a hot tub is never going for a soak alone. This rule should be followed at public pools and spas, mainly to avoid getting into a mishap in the tub. People who take prescription medications, have low blood pressure, and are susceptible to losing consciousness due to an underlying medical condition should avoid going solo. A friend or family member can join the spa session and lend a helping hand in case of an emergency.

Maintain a uniform temperature
For grown adults, it is recommended that the water temperature should not exceed more than 100°F. Anything above is generally considered unsafe. Also, you should not stay in hot water for more than ten minutes at a time. Ideally, step out every ten minutes or so for a small cool down if you plan to spend more time. This way, you avoid the risk of raising core body temperature. Also, avoid sitting close to the heat source and the jets that stir up the water. And the most important of all safety tips, when using a hot tub, is to keep your head, arms, and chest above the water to avoid full-body overheating.