| There's an ugly side to whirlpool baths. Aside from | | | | professionally cleaned at least once a year. |
| getting your hair caught in a suction fitting, and | | | | A used whirlpool bath should be proffesionally cleaned |
| possibly drowning; failure to follow proper | | | | before use, because there's no inspection method |
| maintenance procedures for a whirlpool bath's | | | | available to ensure that the system was previously |
| circulation system can result in the growth and | | | | maintained. |
| transmission of infectious bacteria. | | | | Everyday Precautions |
| Bath residue contains soapscum, dirt, body | | | | * Never leave small children unattended in a whirlpool |
| secretions, skin cells, and bath oils. With each use of | | | | bath. |
| a whirlpool bath, these organic materials combine with | | | | * Don't operate a whirlpool bath's pump without the |
| mineral deposits from water and form scale deposits. | | | | suction guard in place. |
| The warm, dark and humid environment of a | | | | * Avoid prolonged immmersion in hot water, as |
| whirlpool system provides ideal conditions for the | | | | hyperthermia (symptoms include cramping, |
| growth of microorganisms that can cause many | | | | exhaustion, faintness) can result from prolonged |
| different ailments (eg. vaginal, kidney, bladder, skin, | | | | exposure to excessive heat. |
| eye and lung infections, just to name a few). | | | | * Aged persons, anyone under medical care and |
| Scientific testing has proven that household products | | | | pregnant women should consult with their doctor |
| such as bleach, vinegar, baking soda, and automatic | | | | before using a whirlpool bath. |
| dishwasher detergent are ineffective for the purpose | | | | * Persons using medications, or under the influence of |
| of cleaning bath residue and scale deposits from | | | | alcohol, or having a communicable disease, should not |
| whirlpool bath circulation systems. | | | | use a whirlpool bath. |
| Flush your whirlpool after every use with a cleaning | | | | * Avoid the use of oily bath products. They |
| solution specifically formulated to remove bath | | | | contribute to the build-up of bath residue within the |
| residue, and have the circulation system | | | | circulation system. |