What Is the Difference Between a Hot Tub and a Spa?

• In the 1960s and '70s, hot tubs referred to big outdoor tubs made from wood such as cedar or redwood. The tubs had heaters and jets. Eventually, designers started using molded acrylic to make hot tubs and began calling them spas. The two terms are interchangeable.
  
  

What Should I Set the Temperature in My Hot Tub At?

• In 1979, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that hot tub temperatures should never be hotter than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The CPSC's recommended temperature for adults is 100 F.
  
  

Are Hot Tubs Safe for Pregnant Women?

• It is not a good idea for pregnant women to use a hot tub. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have shown that women exposed to high temperatures during their first four to six weeks of pregnancy can be at risk for miscarriage or birth abnormalities. Also, being in a hot tub can result in overheating, which in turn can lower blood pressure and affect the fetus's oxygen supply.
  
  

How Much Time Does It Take to Maintain a Spa?

• Test strips make it easy to check hot tub chemicals. It should only take a few minutes every week to maintain proper water chemistry. It will take a while longer to drain your hot tub every few months and replace the water and chemicals, but overall, having a hot tub shouldn't take up much of your time.
  
  

Are Hot Tubs Safe for Children?

• Never leave your child unattended in a hot tub.child in hottub image by Jaimie Duplass from Fotolia.com
  
  Supervise your children at all times around spas to prevent drowning or other spa-related deaths. To ensure that your spa is safe for children, keep the temperature around 100 degrees Fahrenheit and use a locked safety cover. Also, make certain drain covers meet current safety standards and locate where the pump cutoff switch is located.
  
  

Are All Spa Jets Alike?

• No, different spa manufacturers use different water circulation systems. The jet system may be minimal in one spa and deluxe in another, which will be reflected in the price. Discuss what you are looking for in a spa with several spa dealers to learn more about the type best suited to your needs.
  
  

Are Hot Tubs Sanitary?

• Hot tub sanitizing chemicals such as chlorine and bromine kill bacteria and microbes in the water before they can spread and cause infections or pose other health risks. Many spa sanitizing systems release ozone, which is also very effective in destroying water contaminants.