HEALTHY FAMILY
Debunking Summertime
Myths The truth behind some of the
season’s biggest misconceptions
BY LAURA BOYCOURT
If it’s cloudy,
I can ditch the sunscreen
Dr. Alison Ehrlich, a board-certified
dermatologist at FoxHall Dermatology in
Washington, DC, says a sunburn is possible
even if it’s overcast.

“You can still get a sunburn on a cloudy
day,” she says, noting that water, snow
and even certain types of clouds can
reflect rays from the sun and amplify its
harmful effects.

Ehrlich recommends applying a broad-
spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 40 or higher
30 minutes before heading outdoors and
re-applying every two to three hours. She
also suggests wearing a full-coverage hat,
UPF clothing and sunglasses, since eyes can
be damaged from sun exposure.

If someone is drowning,
they’ll be splashing in the water
Bonnie Alcid, CEO of British Swim School
Central Maryland, says that while movies
may show people thrashing about, calling
for help and waving their arms, that’s
not always what happens when someone
is drowning.

In many instances, “it’s a silent danger,”
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she says. “It happens so quickly, we don’t
have the opportunity to see or most
importantly even hear what’s going on.”
Lapses in adult supervision — even
brief — are particularly dangerous, Alcid
says. It only takes about two minutes for a
child to become unconscious once they’re
submerged. What’s more, small children
can drown in just an inch of water.

“Parents need to be diligent to always
have eyes on their kids,” she says. “As much
confidence as you may have in your child’s
ability to swim, it’s the other factors that
one after another will decrease your child’s
ability to save themselves,”
Alcid also warns parents that swim
floaties, which don’t always keep kids
vertical, are not Coast Guard-approved life
saving devices and shouldn’t be used to
teach children how to swim.

Ticks are only
a risk in the woods
According to the Center for Disease
Control, ticks can be found in your own yard
or neighborhood, not just in thick forest.

From grassy areas to gardens to your pet’s
coat, ticks know few bounds.

To prevent tick bites, apply an
Environmental Protection Agency-registered
insect repellent like DEET or picaridin before
heading outdoors. If you’re going hiking or
camping, spray your boots, clothing and gear
with permethrin in a well-ventilated area,
then let it dry.

The CDC also recommends avoiding
GYENER / DIGITALVISION VECTORS
W ith summer just around the
corner, families are gearing
up for some fun in the sun.

But before we kick off a season full of
beach trips, barbeques and boats, it’s time
to set the record straight regarding some
common summertime safety myths.




wooded areas with high grass and checking
your clothing and your body for ticks when
you return home.

I can swim, so I don’t need
a life jacket
Even for confident swimmers, wearing
a life jacket is a crucial part of summer
water safety, especially if you encounter
the unexpected.

According to the BoatUS Foundation,
“more than two-thirds of all boating
fatalities are drowning incidents and 90%
of drowning victims were not wearing a
life jacket.”
The National Park Service, which sees
countless summertime visitors, stresses
that conditions at natural bodies of water
are typically quite different from those at
the average community pool. Even strong
swimmers can be overcome by the water,
warns the NPS.

In some places and situations, you may
be required by law to wear a life jacket
regardless of your age or ability. Check
uscgboating.org for your local regulations.

You need to wait 30 minutes
after eating to swim
Dr. Amanda Caswell, associate professor
and program director of athletic training
at George Mason University, says this long-
held summertime myth has no legs to stand
on — or swim with.

A review by the American Red Cross
Scientific Advisory Committee published
in the International Journal of Aquatic
Research and Education found “no
evidence supporting the link between
eating before swimming and drowning.”
When it comes to how our bodies work,
Caswell says there is no basis for waiting to
swim after enjoying a meal.

EPIXIMAGES / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
I only need to hydrate
if I’m thirsty
The truth behind this one, Caswell says, is
that feeling thirsty means you’re already
behind when it comes to water intake.

“If you are going to be out in the heat, sun
and humidity,” Caswell explains, “hydrate
before going out and during activity.”
Furthermore, sports drinks are not the
best way to stay hydrated, she says.

“The amount of sports drinks needed
to replenish electrolytes after activity is an
amount that is not possible for a person to
intake in one setting. The best source of
hydration before, during and after activity is
water combined with a balanced nutritional
diet,” Caswell says. n
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