Many spa owners wonder if they should build a fence around their hot tub. In some places with specific regulations, the answer is a hard yes. Unfortunately, the process could be time-consuming and expensive depending on whether you’re required to receive a permit for fencing or safety barriers. If not, it can be a great way to child-proof your spa.

Before you decide, here are a few considerations worth taking into account.

Safety

A safety barrier can tremendously reduce your risk for accidental drownings. Children, especially toddlers, tend to be very curious. Everything is new and exciting to them. They love to do everything from explore every room in the house, to seeing what’s inside the cabinets and opening random doors. It only takes a moment for little ones to get into places they’re not supposed to be.

As a homeowner, your hot tub is a major safety hazard if it isn’t properly sealed away. However, accidents happen. Fencing in your hot tub is a useful way to avoid worst-case scenarios.

Alternatives

Sometimes, a fence isn’t what you need. Certain areas have very strict regulations that call for specific types of safety barriers. Luckily, you have other options!

• Walls. Brick or cement walls can be built around hot tubs. Make sure that they don’t have windows and that they are not scalable.  The gate should open away and outward from your spa. Ideally, it should close on its own and automatically lock into place. Some choose this as an option for the look as well as for safety reasons.
• Lockable Covers. Quality hot tub covers should always come with locking mechanisms like locking straps. Locking straps hold down your hot tub cover so that children and animals are unable to get in.

Personal Preference

Whether you build a fence around your hot tub or use alternative safety barriers is up to you. Some people opt out of building a fence because they don’t have children. Others choose not to because local regulations do not require pool/spa safety barriers. On the other hand, homes with children should always take extra steps to prevent serious injuries (or worse).

Would you build a fence around your hot tub? If so, why? Comment below!

Pool Tech Plus are the pool and spa experts of Southern New Mexico. Visit our site or call today to learn more about our current hot tub options at (575) 639-9882!