When you've put in the time at work, you expect to be treated to a break during your vacation, but sometimes things can go wrong at your destination. Hotels and resorts offer work-weary travelers a refreshing respite that can keep kids entertained for hours: a pool. These pools require a lot of maintenance to stay clean and skills are involved in making sure that it's done right. Read on to find out what might happen if your stay turns out to be far from a relaxing time.

Chlorine: dangerous and powerful

There really is nothing as effective as chlorine when it comes to keeping swimming pools clean. As long as the mixture is correct and it's added in properly then people can enjoy the pool experience with little more than faded hair color and swimsuits. Chlorine comes in liquids, powders and tablets and the resort or hotel employee who maintains the pool must be trained to know what they are doing. As a guest, there is no way of knowing how well-trained that person that just dumped a large quantity of dangerous chemicals into your pool might be.

Symptoms to watch out for

People who fall into certain high-risk categories like young and older people and those with weakened immunity might be more likely to fall sick and be seriously harmed by chlorine in pools. Almost anyone can be harmed by skin contact, swallowing or breathing chlorine, however. Some common symptoms of exposure include:

• Blistering and burning of the skin, throat and eyes
• Problems breathing
• Digestive issues like nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
• Dehydration from the above
• Chest pains
• Lung damage, which can lead to death if severe enough.

Deadly chlorine clouds

The above illnesses can be anything from an inconvenience to a catastrophic, but inhaling chlorine from a so-called chlorine cloud could be even worse. If not used with care an invisible cloud of chlorine can form over the pool and surrounding areas, making for dangerous conditions even for those sitting poolside.

Get compensated

Not only can your vacation be ruined, you might end up spending a few unexpected nights at a nearby hospital. You could be entitled to money damages for any physical effects of chlorine so see an attorney as soon as you can after your trip. Resort and hotel owners have a duty of care to make sure that all areas are free of hazards including deadly chlorine and you might be in for money to cover your ruined vacation, medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Talk to a personal injury or auto accident attorney about your next steps to get compensation.