HEALTH & SAFETY

As well as benefiting our health, saunas may be dangerous if not used properly.

First of all, avoid the sauna if:

• You have high blood pressure or heart problems. Saunas make your heart work harder than normal. Check with your doctor first.

• You just finished exercising. After strenuous exercise, let your heart rate come down to resting levels first.

• You recently consumed alcohol. Using the sauna afterwards could affect your heart.

Here are some safety precautions and tips:

• Know that saunas can burn – too much time in the sauna at a too high temperature can lead to blistering. If your skin starts to sting, get out. The average sauna temperature is about 85C though it can range anywhere between 60C and 110C.

• Don’t stay in too long. 15 to 20 minutes at a time is generally considered the max, though other proponents say up to 30 minutes. The length of time the body can tolerate will vary from person to person. If you are sensitive to heat, start off with a short stay.

•  If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous or have a headache, leave immediately – there is no point in taxing the body to extremes – especially not in the name of wellness. Moderation is key.

• Enter and exit quickly. Saunas are airtight, to keep the heat inside. Opening the door releases heat, and should be done expeditiously.

General safety rules on using mobile saunas:

• Supervise children at all times. Make sure your child doesn’t touch the heating elements of the mobile sauna.

• Make sure your sauna is on a clear leveled surface (we will help you with this one) .

• Be careful when handling the heating elements of the sauna, as it can cause skin burning.