Summer brings opportunities to enjoy the outdoors thanks to longer daylight hours and nice weather. People are eager to spend time on the river, hit the beach or explore trails. But sometimes, along with that excitement, come old myths and tales.

Here are seven myths and tips to help you have a safe, enjoyable summer.

Harmful UV rays can penetrate clouds, leading to sunburn and long-term skin damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds, making sunscreen essential even on overcast days.

Tip: Always apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even if it’s a cloudy or overcast day. 

“Clouds can block some visible light, but they don’t do a great job blocking the UV rays, which are responsible for sun damage and sunburns,” says Dr. Grady Adkins, a family medicine physician at Tidelands Health Family Medicine at Georgetown. “If you’re going to be outside for any length of time, you need to apply sunscreen. Don’t forget the back of your ears and the back of your neck, which are common places to overlook. You also should apply sunscreen where your hair parts or your hair doesn’t fully cover your scalp, or wear a hat.”

When you sweat, your body loses water as it works to cool your body. Even if you’re not sweating, you still lose fluids through breathing and urination – putting you at risk of dehydration, especially if you’re active or spending time in the sun.

Tip: Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and minimize the risk of a heat-related illness.

While sunscreen with a higher SPF provides greater protection against UVB rays, it doesn’t mean you can spend longer in the sun without reapplying.

Tip: “Regardless of the SPF number, sunscreen only lasts about three hours,” says Dr. Adkins. “You will need to reapply if you’re out longer than that, or if you have been swimming or sweating heavily.”

Certain insects, such as mosquitoes, thrive in warm and humid conditions, regardless of a mild winter.

Tip: To protect yourself from bug bites, use insect repellent, wear breathable, long sleeves and pants when outdoors and avoid standing water where mosquitoes breed.

While you should avoid vigorous activity immediately after eating to prevent discomfort, moderate swimming is generally safe after a light meal.

Tip: Listen to your body and use caution if you feel full or uncomfortable before taking a dip. 

“There is no requirement that you wait 30 minutes after eating before going swimming,” Dr. Adkins says. “Just as you wouldn’t eat a pizza and then try to run wind sprints, don’t eat a heavy meal and then try to maximize your physical exertion in the water. Warm up accordingly.”

Ticks are often found in wooded areas, but they can also live in public parks and gardens. These tiny parasites can transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease.

Tip: Protect yourself by wearing insect repellent containing DEET and permethrin-treated clothing. Perform thorough tick checks on yourself and pets after returning indoors.

Taking a dip in the ocean with an open wound, including any recent cuts and scrapes, surgery sites or piercing and tattoos, can introduce a sea of pollutants or bacteria to the site. 

Tip: Before heading to the beach or pool, clean the wound with warm, soapy water and protect it with a waterproof bandage. 

“Bacterial concentrations in ocean water and marsh water can be high when the water is warmer, or after a rain when stormwater carries runoff that contains bacteria from dogs, bird and cat feces,” Dr. Adkins says. “This is also why you don’t want to play in the ocean around the storm sewer drainage pipes, where the bacterial content is highest. If you want to use salt water to help clean a wound, it is better to make saline solution at home by dissolving 2 teaspoons of table salt in 4 cups of water and heating to a boil, then letting it cool before use. However, saline solution is only beneficial for cleaning wounds, not soaking it.”