Hot Tub question for ya

[Venissa]

This explains my kids' brain damage.

Seriously, those are serious claims.

Sources please.

Here is the exact source:
http://www.hottubsandhomespas.com/hot-tubs/not-so-stupid.aspx

I have read it in other places as well - not those exact words but more or less the same thing.  I never let young children in my tub due to those type statements found on the net.  It scares me to death....I would rather be safe than sorry.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

A good read for parents who worry about there kids.  Not pointing fingers Venissa!!  

http://www.w-uh.com/articles/030709-people_over_30.html

[Venissa]

A good read for parents who worry about there kids.  Not pointing fingers Venissa!!  

http://www.w-uh.com/articles/030709-people_over_30.html

Point well taken  

[Steve]

Children's bodies are more sensitive to extreme temperatures than adults, and therefore have a different reaction when exposed to high temperatures. Small children should not be in a hot tub to begin with, but if they are for some reason, they are at risk of damaging their brain and other parts of their body. When a child's head is immersed underwater, the heat that is absorbed can greatly damage the brain. Because children are already susceptible to risk in a hot tub, it will not take long for injury to occur. A good rule of thumb is to keep small children out of a hot tub altogether. Older children can use a hot tub but only for short periods of time -10 minutes maximum - and should never completely immerse their head underwater.

Hey Venissa,
Welcome to the forum!

For clarification, what is considered "extreme temperatures" as written in your post? Are you suggesting anything higher than the normal body temp?

I agree that children are more susceptible to heat and I agree that no one should immerse their head under water in a hot tub but the rest was generally alarmist.

I want to give you a scenario and get your opinion.

Your 7 year old goes upstairs for a bath... She's been there for 10 minutes and playing around and dunking her head under water... The water temp is 100 degrees. You frantically run upstairs realizing she's sitting in HOT WATER and yank her out and IMMEDIATELY call an ambulance due to the possible brain damage she has suffered.

Would that be accurate in your home?

[hottubdan]

Not meaning to pile on, but let's use some critical thinking here.

The article sited did not site any scientific articles.  Any one of us could write our opinion, make it sound factual and it becomes true on the Internet.  Here is who they say they are:

This website is an independent information guide that is written, edited and maintained by Moxy Media, a leading publisher of online consumer information guides. Our goal is to provide factual, up-to-date information and shopping advice to online consumers. This site does not sell products directly and is not affiliated with any individual manufacturer.

[Venissa]

ok everybody I give  :-/

[Venissa]

Hey Venissa,
Welcome to the forum!

For clarification, what is considered "extreme temperatures" as written in your post? Are you suggesting anything higher than the normal body temp?

I agree that children are more susceptible to heat and I agree that no one should immerse their head under water in a hot tub but the rest was generally alarmist.

I want to give you a scenario and get your opinion.

Your 7 year old goes upstairs for a bath... She's been there for 10 minutes and playing around and dunking her head under water... The water temp is 100 degrees. You frantically run upstairs realizing she's sitting in HOT WATER and yank her out and IMMEDIATELY call an ambulance due to the possible brain damage she has suffered.

Would that be accurate in your home?

Here is my opinion.
If the child is 7 I would not worry......If the child is 2-3 I might be more cautious about letting them play in the hot water.....hot water to us is hotter to their little bodies.
I know.....maybe I am a bit paranoid.  
My brother use to play in a hot tub when he was young and I would almost swear he has brain damage  

[Venissa]

again.........I give...........for now anyway  

[D.P. Roberts]

ok everybody I give  :-/

Don't "give" yet! I'm sure there IS a safe temperature limit, and a safe time limit. If there wasn't, we wouldn't have the current limit of 104 degrees. There's medical research for all of that - as most of the articles have stated (and I found several more), it's suggested that you "consult your doctor". I think everyone with kids ought to do that. Then you'll know.

And one thing I would do FOR SURE, regardless of what the doctors say - NO DIAPERS in the tub, including "swim diapers". Even if they're old enough, that's a serious sanitary problem in a small body of water the size of a hot tub.

[Brookenstein]

First off I would be more concerned about a 2 year old drowning in a bath alone for 10 minutes than I would the temperature at 100 degrees.  My kids are 3 and 7.  Back when oldest was littlest the guidelines for bath temps was 100 degrees, that was for a newborn up to a year old.  Anything over 100 and that is when the little ducky would change color and say TOO HOT or that was when the temperature would no longer be readable on the dolphin.  My kids survived the bath, they have survived the hot tub, heck they have survived my cooking, my cleaning, my driving, and my parenting.  I think I'm doing okay!!!!!  

Back on track, we've had the tub 2 years, so littlest was 18mo when we got it.  We kept the tub no hotter than 101 when he was in usually between 99-100.  We always took water or capris suns.  He (still) stands on a seat, so only half his body is in the water usually... if he appears warm he sits out for about 2 minutes every 10.  We stay in about 25 minutes on average except in summer, when I try to keep in around 85 (this lasts about 3-5 days after a water change) then they stay in for a couple hours.

Everything in moderation.

[tinybubbles]

Don't they have thermometer strips that you stick on your kid's forehead?  You could put one of those on and use it to monitor their body temp.  

[D.P. Roberts]

How about letting your kids get in this hot tub?

1. Kids go out the door across the cover, and off the deck!
2. PLEASE remember which side of the tub you got in on !

How does stuff like this get approved?

[Steve]

again.........I give...........for now anyway  

We don't want ya to "give" my dear. Personally, I enjoy your posts as I'm sure many others do. I just wanted to put it in perspective and not let questionable information go without being challenged. It's my nature and it's why I'm so loved 'round these parts!

I think all we're saying is that there needs to be common sense applied instead of a blanket statement of "don't let children in a hot tub or they'll die" sort of thing...

Stick around...you may even enjoy it!

Steve

[Richs100]

How about letting your kids get in this hot tub?

1. Kids go out the door across the cover, and off the deck!
2. PLEASE remember which side of the tub you got in on !

How does stuff like this get approved?

Ok, if this was a "Term Post" I would call BS.  He is very skilled at using that photoshop program.  But it sure looks real.

Speaking as an attorney, I have to say that is one of the most exciting hot tub set-ups I have ever seen.  
Kudos to the designer and to the owner that paid for it.  
And be sure to check that homeowner's policy, cause baby, your gonna need it!

[D.P. Roberts]

Ok, if this was a "Term Post" I would call BS.  He is very skilled at using that photoshop program.  But it sure looks real.

Speaking as an attorney, I have to say that is one of the most exciting hot tub set-ups I have ever seen.  
Kudos to the designer and to the owner that paid for it.  
And be sure to check that homeowner's policy, cause baby, your gonna need it!

This came from an article called "Home Inspection Nightmares VIII" on CNN, seen here:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20057325,00.html?xid=cnn-1007-nightmares-viii
There's some great stuff in there - Redneck junction boxes, an unusual use for a rusty car jack, and a great electrical installation I'd love to see on my roof. Not to mention the cat in the urinal.