Hot tub discussion and kids

[3DisneyNUTS]

I just want to post this warning since hot tubs have been the topic of conversation on both the DCL board and this one. Children cannot easily regulate their body temperature like adults do. A child's body internal temp can rise very quickly and reach really high temperatures much faster than adults. They also do not cool off as rapidly as we do. This is why children are not allowed in the hot tubs and this is why it is posted, it is not so the adults can have the tubs to themselves it is because they pose a huge risk to children. So please everyone be careful especially in the summer month when a child can go into a tub and not cool off after coming out because the air temp is high too.

Just be careful k?

 

[Par8hed]

Well put. Thanks. Where on Long Island are you from? I'm in Brightwaters.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Thank you. I often see children in the hot tubs at OKW, I don't what people are thinking. I would suggest that everyone read the warnings at the hot tub areas. Kids are not the only ones that should stay out. I would never use one of those alone either.

 

[Melrosgirl]

One more reason why I never use hot tubs in public places. Kids. Aside from the fact that they aren't allowed in them for health reasons, kids also do not so nice things in hot tubs.

Adults too, lol. Those hot tubs are a breeding ground for bacteria. I get grossed out even thinking about what has gone on in the hot tubs there, lol.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by Par8hed
Well put. Thanks. Where on Long Island are you from? I'm in Brightwaters.

Holbrook we are neighbors!

 

[manning]

They aren't so good on bathing suits either.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Good hint.
2) People sometimes thik they are invinsible.
3) Remember, adults should also limit their time.

 

[mickeymouse710]

I wish WDW would enforce the rule of no children in the hot tubs! In every WDW resort we have ever stayed in there are always kids using the hot tubs, as if they were kiddie pools while the parents sit there and smile. This really annoys me.
Not only are hot tubs not good for children to begin with, they very often ruin it for adults that are trying to sit and relax in a hot tub meant for adults.
As for bacteria etc in the hot tubs, WDW's hot tubs are very well maintained on a daily basis and are highly treated with chemicals. Between the chemicals and the water temp, bacteria is not a problem. The hot tubs that make me concerned about bacteria, are the ones in the DVC villas. They are hardly ever thoroughly cleaned or have the lines flushed out. And if you are worrying about what may have occured in a hot tub, I would venture to say a couple would be more inclined to get a little frisky in a hot tub in the privacy of their villa then one out in public at the main resort pool!

 

[Stimpy]

Originally posted by 3DisneyNUTS
Holbrook we are neighbors!

Sorry to go OT, but we're just south of you! And east of Par8head. Pretty small world.

 

[BigDisneyKids]

It's not only the temperature that can kill.

http://www.hotelfun4kids.com/travelnews/safetynews/pools.htm

WARNING: This story is quite graphic and can be upsetting to some - please use caution and discretion when reading this page.

This warning was issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission on August 9, 1982.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today issued an alert to warn consumers of the risk of disembowelment to children associated with broken grates or missing drain grates on in-ground wading pools.

The Commission is aware of at least five tragic incidents involving children who sat on drain holes and were trapped. The children's intestines were then sucked from their bodies.

A 4-year old Pennsylvania boy suffered permanent injury when he lost 75-80% of his small intestine and his appendix while sitting on a drain hole at a private community wading pool. The grate (cover) to the drain hole had been broken and removed from the pool the day before the accident. In a similar incident in Birmingham, Alabama a 4-year old girl was trapped over a drain hole, and was released from the drain suction only after the wading pool's pump was turned off. Examination revealed that the child's intestines had been sucked from her body.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating these and similar incidents and will take such actions as are needed to prevent further injuries. The Commission is also alerting state and local governments regarding this hazard. The Commission has discussed the potential hazard with the National Spa and Pool Institute (NSPI) and that organization supports CPSC's efforts to alert the public.

Each of the wading pools involved in accidents investigated has a pump that draws the water from the base of the wading pool through the drain hole to the filtering system and then returns the water to the pool. Children are attracted to the hole itself and the sucking action of the drain. The Commission urges parents to closely supervise children using wading pools and not allow them to play with drain holes or covers.


Keep the DK's out of the hot tub... please.

 

[Ksp]

I often see kids in the hot tubs....the question is, how to get them to stay in the pool vs the hot tub??
My children are now older and really only use the hot tub if I'm in it and they want to just sit and relax/chat, etc. They've never been big on getting in...too hot for them, lol. Many children come in to warm up during the winter months....and then all the bubbles are fun, too!
Parents aren't telling them not to be there, and the life guards have never said anything to them.
Anyone have a good way of telling them nicely they shouldn't be in there? I suppose I'm asking for trouble if I ask them to leave the hot tub, but......they really shouldn't be in there.

 

[FredS]

First off, I am not a hot tub person, and don't picture myself ever getting in a public one, for several reasons.

However, if there is a posted sign that a hot tub is for adults only, and I wanted to get in the tub but it was full of kids I would not hesitate to get a CM to enforce the rule. There are hot tubs which are NOT restricted to adults, however, and in those instances then it is not my place to determine that children should not be in them. When we were on the Magic last month there were often younger ones in the hot tubs by the family pool. There was grumbling about them being there, but I thought it was silly because the hot tubs by the adult-only pool were empty most of the time. Why adults resented kids in the family-area hot tubs when there were hot tubs RESERVED FOR ADULTS which were available I did not understand.

By the way, "hot" tub was a misnomer for when we were there. The tub I stuck a toe in was lukewarm, not hot at all. I would think that Disney would likely err on the side of lower temp than normal, and likely more chemicals than normal to try to prevent any problems re: overheating or bacteria.

 

[wisbucky]

I strongly agree with mickeymouse710. Rules are set for reasons. We all know that there are people who feel that rules do not apply to them. Maybe we should all begin to make sure that CM'S know when children are in hot tubs (especially unsupervised) and point out the rules. Last time DH and I were at OKW we went to get in the hot tub at the main pool. We were shocked to see approx. 5-7 children ages approx. 4-9 and all in a the hot tub. They were swimming, jumping, and etc in like it was the pool. We did not see a CM around nor the PARENTS of the children. Not seeing a CM was one thing but not seeing parental supervision really irritated me. Needless to say we didnt get in and just walked back to our room very dissapointed.

 

[mickeymouse710]

Originally posted by Ksp
SNIP.....
Anyone have a good way of telling them nicely they shouldn't be in there? I suppose I'm asking for trouble if I ask them to leave the hot tub, but......they really shouldn't be in there.

I have asked them to leave. We find kids in the hot tubs a real problem at WDW resorts, no matter which resort you are staying in with a hot tub. But the worst experience we have had so far was at BWV's hot tub at the main pool. There were 2 young mothers there with 4 children all below the age of 5 and they were in and out constantly of the hot tub for at least 2 hours!
Not only were the kids constantly in and out of the hot tub, they were jumping into it, swimming across the hot tub and of course across anyone else attempting to sit there; they were throwing buckets of water at each other and assorted other waterplay activities. They had sippy cups with them at various points and 2 of them were in diapers--lovely!
We had purposely sat near the hot tub, foolishly thinking our all adult party would be able to enjoy this pool amenity meant for adults! Wrong!! Finally after 2 hrs of attempting to use the hot tub but it literally being overrun by these kids, I very nicely went and spoke to the mothers. I started off by saying it is not good for young kids to be in hot tubs, pointed out the very nice kiddie pool, playground etc facilities at the pool for young children and then asked if the adults could now please get some hot tub usage. They basically told me to take a hike, in much more colorful language! They said that they were guests at the resort (they were not DVC members but cash guests at BWI), and that the CMs saw the kids in the hot tub and did not say a thing, etc and if we did not like it we could go to the hot tub at the quiet pool!!
I was shocked! So I went to the bar picked up the phone and asked to be connected to the front desk. I spoke to the resort mgr and insisted that the posted rules stating no children in the hot tub be enforced, and they were; within minutes. Needless to say we got very dirty looks from these 2 mothers for the rest of our trip whenever we ran into them at the resort. But we never saw those kids in the hot tub again.
I have no problem with kids sitting nicely for a brief time next to their parents in the hot tub, but unfortunately this is not the case many times at WDW pools. I have been to many WDW resorts where the hot tub is treated like a kiddie pool by some, especially in the cooler months. Not only is it not healthy for the kids it is darn annoying as an adult trying to use something meant for adults.

 

[zurgswife]

Also, another warning ....If your kids do hop in the hot tub please do not let them wear the life vests...as this shortens the time that it takes there internal temperature to rise....

I've had to point this out to a number of parents over the years..and most say...wow never thought of that...

 

[mickeymouse710]

Originally posted by zurgswife
Also, another warning ....If your kids do hop in the hot tub please do not let them wear the life vests...as this shortens the time that it takes there internal temperature to rise....

I've had to point this out to a number of parents over the years..and most say...wow never thought of that...

Excellent point. The kids in our "hot tub horror story" all had life vests on and were constantly in and out of the hot tub for over a 2 hour period. They especially enjoyed jumping in the pool and then jumping in the hot tub over and over and over again. Talk about making your body temp go haywire!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

OMG how sad I never heard the disembowelment that is just so sad . I have also read of kids getting sucked down to the grate and not being able to get back up no one seeing them due to the waters movement and sometimes foam from chemicals and the kids drowning. HOT tubs are not for kids period.

People need to wake up and realize that those who "chance" things are the ones who get hurt. It may not be the first or 50th time doing something but it may be the 51st that tragedy strikes. It all comes down to entitlement. Some people feel that because they $$ they are entitled to modify rules as they see fit without special permission or asking a cast member if it is ok.

Now don't get me wrong there are situations a child can be allowed in the tubs but of course I am not referring to those situations like kids with JRA or CP etc that would find relief and enjoyment from the tubs but those parents are usually the ones who are sharing the experience with their child and know exactly what is safe for the kids.

This is why I would never go to a parent directly with a request. I know it is the polite thing but you may never know if the child has a medical condition that allows them in the hot tubs. So the CM can let you know that they are allowed in.

But of course because I have a son with a medical issue I got off topic....usually we will not run into those situations and they are usually not the kids who are causing the problems, it is the parents who allow their kids to run wild against the rules. So calling the desk and asking the resort to enforce the rules is the best wya IMO.

 

[manning]

Now don't get me wrong there are situations a child can be allowed in the tubs

This is why children are not allowed in the hot tubs and this is why it is posted

Where in the posting are there exceptions listed. If not any, then it means all children.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by manning
Where in the posting are there exceptions listed. If not any, then it means all children.

Because some people can have GAC's that allow them to have access that normally go against posted rules. Like GACs allow some riders to cut lines etc because of the nature of their disablility. I sure wouldn't want a family visiting Disney with their child who has a medical condition to be approached by a family telling them to get out of the tub when they have prearranged it with Disney, their Docs and have a GAC etc. Plus it is not our job to enforce the rules anywhere at Disney. Imo CM's should be doing it and when they are not they should be asked to do so. It makes for a more pleasant experience for everyone. I know I don't want to be on my vacation acting like the "Disney police". I want to enjoy my vacation. Let the Cms do their job and if you see one not doing it remind them or their boss.

But the point of the thread is that hot tubs are not safe for kids and to make sure parents understand the dangers of them.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I appreciate all the info this thread has provided, but I dont recall seeing a hard and fast rule posted on children not being allowed in the hot tubs.

I am referring to the posted rules next to each spa. I believe it stated that children under 12 should have Adult supervision.

I would hate to try to encourage the enforcement of a rule that wasnt.