Safety
Hot tub and barbecue safety
Arbourthorne Lodge has a hot tub on its decking, and every lodge has its own barbecue beside the picnic area. Both are there to be enjoyed, and both need a little care. Please read this before you use them, and make sure everyone in your party has read it too. These rules form part of your booking terms.
Start here
The essentials
If you read nothing else, read these six. Everything below is detail on top of them.
Temperature
The tub is preset to between 38 and 40°C. Please do not try to override the controls.
Time in the water
Fifteen to twenty minutes at a time, then get out and cool down before going back in.
Children
No one under four in the hot tub, and an adult supervising at all times.
Alcohol and medication
Do not use the hot tub after drinking, or while taking anything that makes you drowsy.
Glassware
Only the plastic glasses provided. Please keep glass off the decking altogether.
The cover
Back on and secured whenever the hot tub is not in use.
Hot tub
Using the hot tub
Arbourthorne Lodge is the only lodge with a hot tub. The water temperature and the chemical levels are set for you before you arrive, so there is nothing you need to adjust.
Temperature and time
- The water is preset to between 38 and 40°C, and 40°C is the maximum. Please do not try to override the controls.
- Between 37 and 40°C is considered safe. Choose the lower end if you are staying in longer, or if children are in with you.
- Limit each soak to fifteen or twenty minutes, then get out and cool down before going back in.
- Test the water with your hand before you get in, so you know it is comfortable.
- Long spells in hot water can cause hyperthermia, where your body temperature climbs above 37°C. The early signs are drowsiness and not noticing the heat. Get out and cool down if you feel at all light headed.
Children and supervision
- Children under four must not enter the hot tub, nor anyone who cannot keep their head above the water while sitting down.
- Never leave children in or around the hot tub unattended. A responsible adult must supervise at all times.
- Keep the cover on and secured whenever the tub is not in use, so children cannot get in unsupervised.
- Wet decking is slippery. Take care getting in and out, and remind children to do the same.
- Please do not jump into the hot tub.
- Lower temperatures suit young children, who feel the heat far more than adults do.
Health, medication and pregnancy
- If you are pregnant, or think you might be, speak to your doctor before using the hot tub and keep the temperature to 38°C.
- If you have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, circulatory problems, diabetes or obesity, speak to your doctor first.
- If you take medication, check with your doctor. Some affect heart rate, blood pressure and circulation, and some cause drowsiness.
- Please do not use the hot tub if you take tranquillisers, antihistamines or anticoagulants.
- Alcohol, drugs and medication before or during use carry a real risk of drowning. Please keep them apart.
- Please stay out if you have an infectious illness, or have had diarrhoea or sickness.
- Do not get in straight after strenuous exercise, or after a heavy meal.
Hygiene
- Shower and use the toilet before you get in. It keeps the water clean for everyone using it.
- Do not apply sun cream, fake tan or skin creams before getting in.
- Try not to swallow the water.
- Please tie long hair back while you are in the tub.
- Do not exceed the maximum number of bathers, which is one person per seat.
Food, drink and clothing
- Use only the plastic glasses provided. Please keep glass off the decking altogether.
- Drink water and stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol while you are in the tub.
- Keep loose clothing and hanging jewellery well away from the jets.
Equipment and electrics
- Never remove the operating panel from the hot tub. There is a risk of electrocution.
- Do not use any electrical item while you are in the hot tub.
- Do not remove the suction fittings, the filter standpipes, in the filter compartment.
- Do not stand or sit on the hot tub cover.
- If anything about the tub does not seem right, get out and call us rather than trying to put it right yourself.
Between stays
How we look after the hot tub
The hot tub is drained, cleaned and refilled between bookings, so the water you get into is fresh. The temperature and the chemical levels are set before you arrive, which is why the controls are preset and should be left alone.
If anything about the tub does not look or smell right when you arrive, please tell us straight away rather than waiting until you leave. We would far rather sort it out while you are still here.
Barbecues
Using the barbecue
Each lodge has its own barbecue, with timber picnic tables in the grass beside the trees.
- Use the barbecue outdoors only. Never bring it inside a lodge or into any enclosed space, because of the fire risk and the build up of carbon monoxide.
- Keep it clean. Grease and fat left on the grates can catch and flare up.
- Keep children and dogs at least three feet clear while it is lit.
- Wear close fitting clothes. Loose fabric catches easily. If clothing does catch fire, stop, drop and roll.
- Never leave a lit barbecue unattended. If you have to go inside, ask someone else to watch it.
- Keep water to hand. Fire extinguishers are in the red box at the fire point sign.
- When you have finished, douse the charcoal with water and check it is completely out and cold before you dispose of it.
- Embers and ash go in the steel bins provided, and nothing else. Food and packaging go in the refuse bin just before the main gate.
If something is not right
Tell us while you are here
Most things can be sorted out quickly while you are still on the park, and they are much harder to put right afterwards. Call us on 01754 800767 between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday. A number for urgent problems outside those hours is in your arrival information and is displayed in the lodge.
