by trevor_n_jane » Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:00 am
"Bad idea" is a very easy answer, and very exclusive of liability.... having said that, yes everything stated in the prior post is text book correct and if you take your children to hot springs you are exposing them to a risk.
As a person who believes that being born is inherently risky and that statistics provide that your child is more likely to die in a car accident, I provide the following tips should anyone judge the risk of introducing your children to the science, scenery, and culture of hot springs, as worth it:
1) Make sure your child has a full understanding of bowel functions (no accidents in the pools), some kids I've seen are good at 1 year (if you want more info, or doubt me, google diaperless baby), others later. The average child potty trains (while awake) by approximately three years and has a good understanding of appropriate places to defecate by 18 - 24 months.
2) Keep fluids handy and insist they drink regularly.
3) Limit their time in the pools (depending on the temperature) to 5-10 minute stretches. If you don't pack a thermometer (it’s a good idea but I keep forgetting) test the water the same way you would a bath (inside of forearm), closest to the source, give the water a good swish with the other arm before testing to get a more consistent feel. My kids like to hang out on the edge and dangle their feet in most of the time and will not stand to soak in "hot" water.
4) Do not let them drink the water.
5) Do not let them submerge their head.
6) Monitor them, watch their complexion. If they get flushed, it’s time for a break.
7) Avoid hot/warm soaking in hot weather.
8) Take advantage of the opportunity to teach hot spring etiquette at an early age. Learning to respecting other people’s quiet enjoyment of the area is very important. Encouraging quiet observations while others are around and limiting jumping, splashing, and other boisterous active play to times when only the family is at the springs is always a good idea. This goes along ways with fellow patrons, and kids can be quite profound when their opinion on the scenery, hike, wildlife, etc is asked. A favourite quiet activity is collecting rocks from the bottom of sand pools and filling cracks or raising the walls with them, which also encourages good stewardship.
9) Explain that many people go nude at hot springs and your relative views on this subject (I like the everybody is naked under their clothes, so who cares if we don't wear them) and allow them to express their views (my son is mostly insistent on wearing swim shorts, my daughter embraces nudity).
Many hot springs are located in areas that have certain risks. These can include steep cliffs, rushing waters, dangerous wildlife, etc. Keeping a close eye on your children and how they are adjusting is essential. There are no lifeguards, no guard rails or anti slip paths, you are your child’s best defence from injury. It’s imperative that you are able to communicate risks to your child and that they understand/abide by them.
For myself, I avoided hot springs for the first 18-24 months because I found it tricky to explain and have my child comply with not drinking the water, which can be unhealthy for a variety of reasons (bacterial, mineral, etc). A good indicator is when they stop drinking bath water and don't have accidents when naked, you may want to consider the risks of going to the hot springs with your children. I did actually take my first born at 6 months to Banf Hot Springs (they didn't have any age restriction) but he wore a swim diaper and the water is chlorinated and the temperature strictly controlled (pretty much your standard swimming pool).
Disclaimer of Liability: The use of hot springs is a dangerous activity, people who suffer from all sorts of ailments, or are under the age of 18 without parental supervision, or under the age of 10, altogether, should not partake. <-Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
As to "Please leave underage children at home", hmm yes with their other parents I suppose? Or is that like "Please leave all photographic equipment at home" and we should just put them in the sock drawer for safe keeping? I'm always perplexed with comments like this, it makes children seems like accessories to be worn and stored as needed. One woman in a very quiet restaurant once stopped my mother from apologising for me bringing my children into it by saying, "We were all children once. We aren't born adults." It’s become my children's favourite restaurant and they've learned the importance of enjoying the atmosphere.
(as the site owner slowly and quietly slips out of the room while wishing he'd never suggested that he resemble remarks of old age converse/inverse to the topic at hand) 
