Hot tub emergencies

Electrical. If the tub tingles, the breaker trips repeatedly, or you see damaged wiring, get everyone out of the water immediately and switch off the circuit at the disconnect or panel. Do not enter the water to investigate. Call a licensed electrician. Water plus a faulted high-current circuit is a life-safety situation, not a repair backlog item.

Someone unwell in the water. Hot water lowers blood pressure and people can become lightheaded, especially after alcohol. Get them out, cool them down, and get them lying flat. If they are confused, unresponsive, or having chest pain, call emergency services. Do not leave anyone in a hot tub alone if they are feeling off.

Freezing weather with a power outage. This is the emergency people do not see coming. Circulating water is what keeps hot tub plumbing from freezing, and a multi-day outage in hard freeze conditions can split pipes throughout the tub. If an outage is going to be long and temperatures are well below freezing, contact your dealer or a spa technician about draining the system properly — an improper drain can leave water trapped in the plumbing and cause the same damage.

Major leak. Cut power at the breaker before doing anything else, because a dropping water level can expose and damage the heater. Then find the source if it is visible in the equipment bay. Water running against a house foundation or into a crawlspace is its own problem and worth stopping quickly.

How to choose

Find and label your disconnect today

Know exactly which switch kills power to the tub, and make sure everyone in the house does. In an emergency you will not have time to work it out.

Never enter water you suspect is electrified

If anyone reports a tingle, everyone gets out and the power goes off. Do not test it yourself.

Cut power first on any major leak

A falling water level can burn out the heater within minutes. Breaker off, then investigate.

Plan for a hard freeze plus an outage

Have your dealer or a spa technician's number saved, and know what your manual says about winterizing. An improper drain can be as damaging as no drain.

Never soak alone after drinking

Alcohol and hot water together increase the risk of fainting, and a faint in a hot tub can be fatal. This is the safety rule most often ignored.