Whilst lots of fun can be had with water in the home and garden/outdoor spaces, easy access to water in familiar spaces can sometimes make it easy to forget the risks it can pose.

Whether at home or on holiday, hot tubs are a great place for grown-ups to unwind and socialise, but they can be especially hazardous for children.

RLSS UK’s 2024 Child Drowning Update states that in 2022-2023, three children drowned in hot tubs left uncovered.



Keep children safe with these water safety precautions around hot tubs:

Supervise at all times

Ensure children are always supervised by an adult when spending time in or around a hot tub – even when the cover is on. Accidents can happen quickly, and children are naturally drawn to water.

Top Tip: If you’re with a group of adults, take turns to oversee supervise children near water. Always ensure that everyone in the group knows who is responsible for watching the children.

After use cover it 

Ensure hot tubs are covered with a solid, lockable cover immediately after use to prevent children from climbing or falling in. If your hot tub doesn’t have a cover, or if the cover is broken, replace this vital piece of safety equipment as soon as possible. Don’t fill or use your hot tub until you’ve replaced the cover.

59% of parents using a hot tub don’t replace the cover immediately after use.* Take the extra time and effort to keep your children safe. Always replace and secure a hot tub cover every time you use it.

Not for Children

Children under five should not use a hot tub, so make sure yours is a child-free zone! 



Help us save lives by sharing these garden water safety tips:



Learn more about Water Safely at Home:



Always follow the Water Safety Code:

The Water Safety Code

Learn more about The Water Safety Code



*Source: RLSS UK consumer survey of parents of children under five years from across the UK (September 2024).