Spa and Facility Safety Checks Before You Go: Questions to Ask

Urgent Guidance First

In the US, call 911 if someone collapses, cannot be woken, has chest pain, struggles to breathe or is in difficulty in water. Do not jump into deep or cold water to rescue someone; call for help and reach with something that floats. If you feel faint or unwell in hot water, get out slowly and tell staff. See the warning signs checklist. This page is information only.

What These Checks Can and Cannot Do

A good venue lowers some risks. It cannot remove them, and the sources we read give no safe temperature or time for anyone. This page does not give chemical levels or dosing. It gives questions, not a test you can pass or fail. We do not list or rank venues; see checking a pool, spa or clinic.

Question 1: Is It Inspected?

Public pools and spas may be inspected by a health authority, depending on where you live. One Florida county health department says its inspections consist of sanitation and safety checks around the pool and its equipment, with water tested for sanitizing and balancing chemicals such as chlorine and pH. [1] It says inspections happen at least twice a year. [1] Systems differ elsewhere. Ask the venue who inspects it and when, and ask your local health department how to see the record. An inspection record describes the day it was done.

In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance for all those involved in the operation and management of swimming pools. [2]

Question 2: How Is Legionella Managed?

The NHS says Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like hot tubs. [3] The UK Health and Safety Executive says those in control of premises must assess and manage sources of risk, and lists spa pools among the water systems where legionella risk arises. [4] You can ask a venue whether it has a water-safety plan and when its hot tubs were last cleaned and tested. The venue should be able to answer in plain terms.

If you become unwell after a spa visit, the NHS advises telling the clinician where you have been in the last 10 days, such as a hotel, spa or hospital. [3] See Legionella in hot tubs and spas and hot tub rash.

Question 3: Are the Drains Safe?

In the US, the Texas Department of State Health Services describes the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act as requiring owners of all new and existing public pool and spa suction outlet systems to install safety equipment designed to prevent entrapment. [5] You can ask whether the venue meets this requirement. See drowning risk.

Question 4: Who Is Supervising?

Ask whether staff are present, whether anyone is trained to respond, how you call for help from the water and how you get out. Do not use a hot tub, sauna or cold-water facility alone, and do not mix alcohol or sedatives with heat or cold; see alcohol, drugs and hydrotherapy. For clinic pools, ask about the qualifications of the person treating you; see who is who.

Question 5: Do They Ask About Your Health?

A venue that asks about heart conditions, pregnancy, medicines and recent illness is taking safety seriously. If nobody asks, tell them yourself. See preparing for hydrotherapy and when not to use a hot tub or sauna today.

Question 6: Is It Accessible and Safe to Enter and Leave?

Ask about steps, rails, lifts and non-slip surfaces. See accessible bathing.

Who Should Check With a Clinician First

Ask first if you have heart disease, high or low blood pressure, a rhythm problem, epilepsy, diabetes or numb skin, pregnancy, a heat-sensitive condition such as multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, a skin infection or open wound, or take diuretics, blood pressure medicines or sedatives. Also ask for older adults, and for infants and young children. Never stop or change a medicine because of this page.