Outdoor hot tubs and spas are wonderful products, but they do require an electrical current to run. Besides the obvious hazardous implications of mixing water and electricity there are other safety precautions to consider when enjoying your spa.
Around the hot tub
- Think about installing outlets with covers that protect connected plugs.
- Do not touch any electrical appliance around the spa or hot tub while your body is still wet.
- Do not place cords or plugs in close proximity to your tub, as well as damp pipes and puddles.
- Do not try to be a hot tub repairman (unless that is your profession, of course). Make sure a licensed electrical professional addresses any repairs or electrical concerns.
Electrical appliances
- Do not leave any tools or appliances running unattended or left for small children to find.
- Do not move around with appliances while they are plugged in and turned on.
- Check for cracked or broken wires because they can quickly become hazardous.
- Do not carry appliances or tools by their cords.
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
A ground fault is an unintentional electrical path existing between an electrical current's source and a grounded surface. Currents sometimes "leak," enabling electricity to escape into the ground. If a person's body approaches the leak, it can facilitate its connection to the ground, in turn providing shocks, burns, and electrocutions.
GFCIs were created to circumvent such hazards from occurring. A GFCI continuously monitors a home's wiring system and finds sources losing current (or leaking). When a GFCI senses a disparity in regular electrical currents, it cuts the power to that specific circuit. A GFCI can be the difference between something feeling like a "static shock" and a painful electrocution.
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