Sum, sum, summertime is here!

This week two different studies came out that may affect your summertime activities. The first is a policy change from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the largest group of pediatricians in the U.S., OK'ing children as young as 1 beginning swimming lessons. The other was a new study by Consumer Reports about the most effective sunscreens.

For several years pediatricians have believed children younger than 4 were too young to begin swimming lessons. Recently, a limited number of small studies have shown toddlers are less likely to drown if they have had swimming lessons. This has caused pediatricians to revisit their position.

It is still highly recommended that parents find a class that emphasizes water safety and one in which the parent is in the water with the child. I taught swimming lessons to children and adults for years, and one of the many advantages of having a parent in the water with a small child learning to swim is the closeness and safety most children feel having a parent there. In any event, a class should have at least one instructor for every 10 students, less students when possible.

Parents should always keep in mind that swimming lessons do not substitute for caring, competent, adult supervision at all times. Many people who can swim drown every year because of outside factors such as being injured diving or falling in, cold water, cramps or being stuck in a pool drain or filter. Please be attentive at all times, knowing how to swim can provide a lifetime of fun and exercise, but a moment of inattention can turn fun into a life changing tragedy.

The other summertime study out this week is aimed at better protecting us against skin cancer. Consumer Reports conducted a study of the top 12 sunscreens to determine their effectiveness at blocking both UVA and UVB radiation. While the study held a few surprises it is important to know a bit about why using sunscreen is so important.

UVA radiation is the type of radiation that causes sunspots, broken blood vessels, wrinkling and heightened cancer risk, while UVB radiation is responsible for sunburn. Insure you are buying sunscreen that blocks both kinds of radiation, but realize that the SPF number only refers to UVB radiation. To block UVA, the sunscreen should have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Interestingly, cost is not a good way to determine sunscreen effectiveness as the Target brand is the most effective of those tested while the La Roche-Posay brand was both the most expensive and the least effective. You can find the entire results for the study in Consumer Reports.

Most people choose sunscreen by scent not the sun blocking agents, but this is less of a problem today as most sunscreens have a pleasant smell. Parents need to make sure children are reapplying sunscreen often, especially as they play or swim, but the Consumer Reports study tested the sunscreens after 80 minutes of swimming, so any of the recommended sunscreens should serve you well if you follow their instructions.

I wish all of you a safe and wonderful summer. Watch each other for sunburn, water safety, and share a hot dog and watermelon with someone special!

Mark Altman is a speaker and leadership consultant with the Altman Leadership Center. He is an international speaker with two books and a DVD that can be purchased on Amazon.com. He can be reached at mark@leadright.net.