Eight summer safety myths that put kids at risk

Emergency-room professionals have their own name for the long, lovely, lazy days that kids look forward to in summer: trauma season. Because that's when hospitals see a spike in drownings and heat-related accidents.

Here are some of the biggest misconceptions about popular summertime activities, according to several local experts.

MYTH: Pool parties are safe as long as adults are around.

FACT: Many drownings happen when adults are close by. The problem is too much commotion. The key is to have a designated adult watching the water because that is where the danger is. The pool should be free of excess toys that can block the view of the water.

MYTH: You don't have to worry about sunburn on cloudy days.

FACT: You can get a severe sunburn on a cloudy day. Overcast weather, no matter how cloudy, doesn't affect how much harmful UV exposure someone receives. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises using clothing and hats to avoid sun exposure, particularly for babies younger than 6 months, and applying sunscreen of at least 15 SPF that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

MYTH: Heat isn't a problem until July or August, when temperatures peak.

FACT: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are more prevalent early in the season, because our bodies haven't had a chance to acclimatize.

MYTH: Floaties keep little ones safe in the water.

FACT: Floaties are designed for fun, not safety. They give a false sense of security, can deflate and can slip off.

MYTH: The kids will be fine in the pool for the short time it takes to answer the phone or get a cold drink.

FACT: In a minute, a child can go under water. In two or three minutes, the child can lose consciousness. In four or five, the child could suffer irreversible brain damage or die. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death for children 1 to 14 years old, second only to car and transportation-related accidents.

MYTH: Children need to drink only when they are thirsty.