Lock Your Hard Cover on Your Hot Tub

This is great advice for all  hot tub owners for more reasons than you may imagine.

Most hot tubs today come with a lockable hot tub hardcover. There are usually 4 cover locks which can be locked and opened with a provided plastic key.   One part of the cover lock comes attached to the hard cove strap and the other attaches to the hot tub cabinet.   Three mounting screws are provided to mount the receiving part of the buckle the correct distance from the top of the spa so that the cover locks down snuggly.

One reason to lock down a hard cover is to stop the cover from blowing off during heavy winds.  It also prevents the cover from shifting so costly heat is not lost out the top of a partially covered spa.

Another reason is that it may be required in some municipalities and allowed instead of a fence to meet certain local zoning restrictions pertaining to hot tubs. It is always best to check with your town or city regarding any local ordinances that require either lockable hard covers or a fenced area around the hot tub.

Safety is another concern and keeping the little ones out of the spa is important.  Locking down the cover after use gives peace of mind to families with small children.  Not so obvious are some of the other reasons to lock down a hot tub.

One reason is to keep out the intoxicated, mentally unstable or even neighbors.  It is not uncommon to hear a story of some partying kids that sneak into a neighbors yard and use the hot tub.   Such an incident just recently occurred in Barrington, Rhode Island.

A mother and her children were sound asleep in the house at 4 a.m. when police came calling based on a neighbors complaint of loud music. Turns out some uninvited guests had helped themselves to a dip in the hot tub and cranked up the stereo.  They also did not leave without causing a few hundred dollars in damage.  A lockable hard cover that is locked when not in use would have prevented this incident.

Police officers responded to the home and the resident said that she and her children had been asleep inside the house and she was not aware of any any music.

As police searched the back yard, the situation became clear. The hot tub’s built-in stereo had been playing a Frank Sinatra CD.

So lock up those hot tubs with a lockable hot tub hard cover.