While it’s February of 2020 in Arvada, Colorado, the weather is relatively cold as it’s still winter.  At this time of the year, it’s common for people to start or end the day with a good soak in a hot tub. However, the potential electrical safety hazards that one might face in using them cannot be simply discounted. In fact, they can be life-threatening, i.e. in case of fire or electrocution. At some point, hiring a licensed electrician to maintain the electrical upkeep of a hot tub and eliminate these hazards might be necessary.

Ensure a safe hot tub experience; below are four ultimate safety tips to bear in mind:

Tip #1: Entrust the hot tub wiring job to a licensed electrician in Arvada.

Unless you are an electrician who has the right know-how about electrical wirings, never risk your safety by trying to perform the wirework of your huge hot tub on your own. Instead, find a hot tub wiring electrician nearby who bears the mastery and experience needed to get the job done safely, accurately, and in accordance with the National Electric Code or NEC.

For proper and safe hot tub installation, the regulatory of NEC requires that hot tubs must have their own dedicated circuit and a manual disconnect. Furthermore, homeowners intending to have a hot tub installed in their area must use the right type of outlet for it and the power lines and disconnect must be at a proper location. Your electrician will most likely coordinate with your hot tub moving company to meet these requirements.

Tip #2: Remember where your hot tub’s panel is located.

Ensuring electrical safety does not mean you should delegate everything to your trusted electrician. While the latter will be able to respond to your location immediately in case of an emergency, one of the most vital responsibilities is to prevent the problem from escalating by immediately shutting off your hot tub’s power.  Nothing can be repaired or moved without shutting off the power. As a hot tub owner, it’s important for you to know where the electrical panel is.

Tip #3: Never use electrical devices nor install power sources within the spa area.

In this age where people are so giddy publishing everything on social media, you probably have noticed a number of influencers broadcasting their relaxing hot tub experiences on IG stories. That does not pose a problem if the smartphone is waterproof and has enough battery for the entire duration of the soak.  However, the safety risks greaten when your battery is running low and needs to be charged.

While, in this case, it might be tempting to use a power extension cord to keep yourself connected to the online world, the last thing you will want to do is give in and expose yourself to electrocution threats. Any potential causes of electrocution must be kept away at all times.

Tip #4: How to deal with defective spa lights?

Most spa lights operate at 9-12 volts and should not cause electrocution. However, if the defective ones leak and their GFCIs malfunction after they failed to self drain, then spa light hazards could arise. If this bothers you, call your local electrician right away for a safe and quality light removal service.

Besides the abovementioned tips, it is also best to talk to your local spa moving and repair company to better understand the best safety practices for your home and loved ones, i.e. proper hot tub usage, water care, and establishing a safe spa environment.