Kids & Cold Plunges- Keep Them Safe & Strong!

Revised: May 2025

Overview

Cold plunging can deliver amazing health benefits and even be life-changing. Naturally, our kids are curious, especially when they see Mom or Dad doing something as unusual as stepping into a tub full of ice water. As parents, we want to nurture that curiosity and courage. Cold water, believe it or not, can help expand both.

At the same time, our top priority is keeping our children safe, without creating fear.

My daughter (who was nine in 2022) has been watching me do cold water immersion since before she could walk. So, as a dad and cold plunge enthusiast, I’d like to share some practical safety tips—these apply to grown-ups, too!

There are three key safety risks with DIY cold plunges:

1. Electrical shock
2. Drowning
3. Suffocation

Whether you have a plug-and-play model or a DIY chest freezer plunge, safety comes first, especially when kids are around.

Keeping Safe From Electric Shock

A common question: “Can I get electrocuted or shocked using a chest freezer cold plunge?”

Fair question. After all, you’re filling a major electrical appliance with water. I’ve spoken with over a dozen electricians (I love that in Australia they’re called “sparkies!”) and linemen from around the world, and they all gave the same advice:

Unplug it. Every single time.

The safest and most foolproof method is to completely isolate the power source before getting in. That means unplugging not just the freezer, but also any pumps, filters, ozone units, UV lights, or other electronics.

While smart switches, GFCI outlets, and breakers are helpful backups, don’t rely on them. Mechanical components can (and do) fail- and life is too valuable to risk on a switch.

Pro Tip:
Create a visual reminder so you never forget. Try:

• Hanging the power cord over the lid so it must be removed before opening
• Making a sign
• Using a pre-plunge checklist

And remember- never unplug or plug in your cold plunge while you’re wet. Dry off completely first.

Also, keep the area free of other plugged-in tools or electronics that could pose a hazard if water is on the floor.

Water Safety – Drowning Prevention

Most children have a natural aversion to cold water. But drowning is an involuntary risk, not a choice.

According to StopDrowningNow.org:

• Drowning is the #1 leading cause of death in children ages 1-4
• 23% of child drownings happen during a family gathering near a pool
• 87% of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs for children younger than 5. Most take place in pools owned by family or friends.
• Children 5 to 17 years old are more likely to drown in natural water, such as ponds or lakes.

Your best defense? Limit access.

• Always keep your cold plunge covered and secured
• If possible, lock the room or garage where it’s stored
• Use a child safety fence with a locking gate around the unit

Avoid fear-based conversations. Instead, cultivate respect for cold water.

When I built my cold plunge, my daughter was four. I told her the lid only opens when Mom or Dad is around. She loved counting me down as I got in, dipping her fingers in the water, and hearing me say, “You’re my safety buddy. I never go in without a safety buddy.” She knew that if something seemed wrong, she would get her mother or call 911.

You can involve your kids with simple rituals like these. Let them feel the water, play nearby, and ask if they want to try. Most will say, “No thanks!” for a while—and that’s okay.

They will probably say “No!” until they reach a certain age. My daughter started putting her fingers in my containers with ice-cold water for feet and hands exercises before she could crawl.

When asked if she wanted to do cold water training, she very clearly said, “I like warm training.”

She did not express interest in getting fully in the cold water until she was seven.

Here is a nonprofit website with information about water safety for parents and caregivers to prevent drowning:

Home

Keeping the Lid Secure

Aside from drowning, chest freezers raise another concern: suffocation.

“What if the lid closes while someone’s inside?”

Good question—and worth addressing. Thankfully, modern freezers no longer use automatic locking latches. Before the Refrigerator Safety Act of 1956, children could get trapped in discarded appliances with locking doors that opened only from the outside. That danger led to a redesign.

Today’s chest freezer lids:

• Require deliberate upward turning to lock
• Do not lock automatically
• Use spring or gravity mechanisms—accidental lock-ins are nearly impossible

Still, if you have old or worn hinges, the lid could fall. In that case:

Never climb in without confirming the lid stays up safely

Install a small eyehook and chain or bungee cord to secure it open

The Problem With External Locks

Some parents add padlocks for extra safety. Unfortunately, this can make things more dangerous.

A locked hasp on the outside of a chest freezer recreates the same hazard we tried to eliminate in 1956: a child could climb in, the lid shuts, and they can’t get out.

A tragic Florida case in 2019 involved three children under six who died in a locked freezer. That wouldn’t have happened without the external hasp.

Also, one child could lock another inside without understanding the risk.

Better alternatives (keep them loose!):

• Use a tie-down strap or rope looped over the closed lid
• Use a camper-style buckle strap—secure, but easy to remove

These prevent accidental entry without introducing a suffocation hazard. However, I want to reemphasize that it’s better to prevent access to the area than to lock the chest freezer lid.

Encouraging Your Child With Cold Water Immersion

Now that we’ve covered physical safety, let’s talk emotional safety.

“When is my child ready to cold plunge?”
Short answer: They’ll tell you.

Include your kids in your routine:

• Let them see how you feel before, during, and after a plunge
• Invite them to participate, but never pressure them

The rule of thumb is: Always encourage. Never force.

Because kids are more sensitive to cold, start warmer:
50–60°F (10–16°C) is usually better for first-timers.

When my daughter was ready, we created a clear agreement. She’d count “1 – 2 – 3 – GO!” for entry and say “OUT!” when she wanted to stop. I always honored that—no delays, no pushing. That created trust and empowered her to set boundaries.

Acknowledge effort, not just results. Whether it’s 5 seconds or 30, your response matters more than the stopwatch.

Here are seven tips on how to encourage kids constructively. For more information, see the For more on encouragement, here are seven great tips from Parenting for Brain (included with permission):

https://www.parentingforbrain.com/words-of-encouragement-for-kids/

1. Praise sincerely and honestly

2. Be specific and descriptive

3. Praise your child’s efforts and the process, not their achievement or ability

4. Avoid controlling or conditional praise

5. Avoid making comparisons to siblings or other children

6. Avoid easy-task praise and over-praising

7. Be spontaneous

Conclusion

With a few common-sense safety practices, your cold plunge setup can be safe and rewarding for you and your family. Kids learn by watching, and cold plunging gives you the chance to model courage, consistency, and resilience.

It’s also another way to connect—one freezing plunge at a time.

Happy cold plunging!

Comment From a Parent

Here’s a note I received from a fellow parent in our Facebook community after reading this article:

“Thanks for addressing kids & cold plunges John! This group has been a great moral support for me, knowing other parents are doing the same as us, letting their kids “experiment” with cold plunges, when the kids are happy and ready too! I wasn’t sure about sharing that my kids were plunging until I noticed the posts of other parents letting their kids have a go. The article will be helpful to new “cold plunger families.'”

– Kristina Smith Rogovoy

Want to learn how to build your own safe, family-friendly cold plunge? Check out my book,”The Ultimate Chest Freezer Cold Plunge DIY GUide,” or join our Facebook group of 50,000+ cold plungers worldwide!