There's an ugly side to whirlpool baths. Aside from getting your hair caught in a suction fitting, and possibly drowning; failure to follow proper maintenance procedures for a whirlpool bath's circulation system can result in the growth and transmission of infectious bacteria.

Bath residue contains soapscum, dirt, body secretions, skin cells, and bath oils. With each use of a whirlpool bath, these organic materials combine with mineral deposits from water and form scale deposits. The warm, dark and humid environment of a whirlpool system provides ideal conditions for the growth of microorganisms that can cause many different ailments (eg. vaginal, kidney, bladder, skin, eye and lung infections, just to name a few). Scientific testing has proven that household products such as bleach, vinegar, baking soda, and automatic dishwasher detergent are ineffective for the purpose of cleaning bath residue and scale deposits from whirlpool bath circulation systems.

Flush your whirlpool after every use with a cleaning solution specifically formulated to remove bath residue, and have the circulation system professionally cleaned at least once a year.

A used whirlpool bath should be proffesionally cleaned before use, because there's no inspection method available to ensure that the system was previously maintained.

Everyday Precautions

* Never leave small children unattended in a whirlpool bath.

* Don't operate a whirlpool bath's pump without the suction guard in place.

* Avoid prolonged immmersion in hot water, as hyperthermia (symptoms include cramping, exhaustion, faintness) can result from prolonged exposure to excessive heat.

* Aged persons, anyone under medical care and pregnant women should consult with their doctor before using a whirlpool bath.

* Persons using medications, or under the influence of alcohol, or having a communicable disease, should not use a whirlpool bath.

* Avoid the use of oily bath products. They contribute to the build-up of bath residue within the circulation system.