Search for sauna safety on the internet and you’ll find that saunas are safe for almost anyone, including those who have high blood pressure or heart conditions. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a physician before using a sauna.
Unfortunately, you’ll also find articles on sauna fires and injuries. Most of these are due to improper sauna use or installation, not the sauna or heater itself. Here are six sauna safety guidelines to save your home and your life:
1. Put the Right Sauna in the Right Place
Never use a sauna or sauna heater designed for outdoor use inside your home. Salus offers traditional saunas for outdoors as well as a handpicked class of indoor traditional saunas that are made from high quality softwoods and come in a few designs and sizes. We have helped set the standard for all other home saunas, using the best materials to give sauna lovers the most authentic traditional sauna experience.
2. Power Up
While our infrared saunas can go on almost any surface, make sure your sauna is plugged into the appropriate outlet. Do not use extension cords, as these can surge, fray, or spark. A licensed electrician can help you upgrade your outlet and inspect your electrical system. Overloaded circuits can cause fires.
3. Heat Bodies Only
Never use your sauna for anything other than heating bodies. Sauna are not designed for drying clothes, towels, or crafts.
4. Keep a Safe Space Around Heaters
Use your backrest in an infrared sauna to avoid touching the heaters and make sure nothing else touches the heaters either, such as clothing, towels, and any reading material you might be using. If you have a heater in the floor of your sauna, make sure to pick up anything that falls on it or under the slats.
5. Mind the Step
Make sure your sauna door, steps, and path are unimpeded, especially if you use your sauna at night or in low-light conditions. While you don’t want to stay in the sauna until you feel dizzy, sometimes it takes a minute or two to acclimate to lower light and temperature.
If you have an infrared sauna, consider putting an absorbent, non-slip bath mat at the entrance to the sauna to wipe your feet on before walking across the floor.
6. Sauna Sober
According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Sauna bathing and heavy drinking, and also sauna bathing during the hangover phase undoubtedly create real health risks.” The alcohol may compound the effects of the sauna, making blood pressure drop, and causing dizziness or worse, passing out.
Overall saunas are one of the safest investments you can make in your health. Following these six tips will keep you and your sauna in tip top shape for years to come.
Resources: https://porch.com/advice/equip-perfect-bathroom-lifestyle by Cassandra Rosas
