It's getting cold, and the winter brings an appeal for you and your significant, or temporary, other to get in the hot tub. There are some things you should know before you go on that zero-gravity ride!

1. Your hot tub should be clear and have a faint smell of chlorine or bromine (if you use those) or nothing (if you use an ionizer). If it is cloudy, or smells like socks, Molson Ale, or any other olfactory stimulation, DO NOT GET IN! See #3.

2. 1 sip, or bite, of anything that is fermented or will ferment will neutralize the sanitizer in the tub, leaving you and your date soaking in a rapidly-propagating pool of bacteria. If you need to drink or eat, you should do it outside the tub for your own safety. A tub can go from pristine to contaminated in 2 minutes. If you disregard #1 and/or #2, your reward will be #3.

3. Pseudomonis E is a pesky bacteria that attacks the skin. It thrives in nice, warm water. If you have EVER soaked in a common hotel or health club hot tub, you have had a visit from Pseudomonis E. Some people get a couple of bumps on the back of their hand - they itch a little, and go away quickly. Some people have a strong allergic reaction, and end up covered in a rash for a week or so. Pseudomonis E is pretty much the only thing you have to worry about in a hot tub - STDs, Aids, and any herpes strain can not be conveyed in this manner. Extreme cases of hot tub neglect have resulted in Legionnaires', but these are few and far between.

Finally, those who are pregnant or on high blood pressure medication should talk to their doctor BEFORE soaking (as opposed to talking to him in the hospital AFTER passing out). There is NOTHING more fun than a good zero-grav encounter in a tub - keep it safe so that there's a second time!