03/24/2026
When going to the mountains, people think they want to book a cabin with an indoor swimming pool but there are risks. My housekeeper has told me she will not clean cabins with indoor pools due to the mold they produce from the heat and moisture in the homes. This article talks about another issue. Our guests use the Pigeon Forge Community center pools plus all their other activities and after reading this I am so thankful we didn’t buy a cabin with an indoor pool.
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A family vacation for one local family in Sevierville took a frightening turn after multiple children became suddenly ill, raising concerns about indoor pool safety and ventilation in rental properties.
According to the family, nine people, including five children , stayed in a cabin featuring a private indoor pool. Shortly after arrival, concerns were raised about the pool room being excessively hot with little to no ventilation. The windows were reportedly sealed shut, and the door remained closed due to a security alarm system. The host was notified but no immediate action was taken.
After several hours of swimming the following day, all five children developed symptoms at nearly the same time, including persistent coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and vomiting. One child’s condition worsened, prompting a trip to the emergency room early Sunday morning, where he received breathing treatments and steroids for airway inflammation.
Medical professionals indicated that similar cases are not uncommon in the area, often linked to poorly ventilated indoor pool environments. The local health department later recommended testing for Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia associated with contaminated water systems.
The remaining children were evaluated in the days following, with several requiring breathing treatments.
The family reported the incident to both the property host and the rental platform, providing documentation of the medical visits. They say their concerns were largely dismissed, and a partial refund of $200 was offered.
The family says the incident serves as a reminder for travelers to take precautions when booking properties with indoor pools, particularly ensuring proper ventilation and water safety measures are in place.
📸: Kayla Smith