Picture this childhood memory: It’s a perfect, hot summer day, and you’ve just come inside for lunch after swimming all morning. After devouring your favorite meal — a nice PB&J with a bag of chips — you’re ready to continue sharpening your cannonball technique. Your mom always said you have to wait at least 30 minutes before swimming after you eat. Moms are always right, but are they really? While we love our moms, sometimes they can be wrong. Here are four common swimming myths exposed.

Wait 30 minutes after eating:
FALSE
This common saying is based on the idea that after eating blood flow will be redirected from your arms and legs to your digestive system, which can cause your limbs to not work properly and cause you to drown. While digestion does reduce blood flow to the extremities, your body has enough blood to keep all your body parts functioning normally. Sorry, parents. You won’t get that rest you desperately crave after lunch.

Chlorine burns your eyes:
FALSE
It’s not the chlorine that burns your eyes, but an unbalanced pH level in your water. It’s important to pay attention to your pool water chemistry. Maintaining a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6 will prevent burning, red eyes after swimming.

Chlorine will turn blonde hair green:
FALSE
Chlorine always gets the blame, and it shouldn’t! Copper is the culprit in this instance. Some algaecides are copper-based, and the metals can attach to the protein in hair. Simply wash your hair after swimming to prevent it turning green.

There’s no chlorine in saltwater pools:
FALSE
There is some chlorine in a saltwater pool. In order to sanitize a pool, the salt water goes through a process called electrolysis, which creates chlorine. You also have to shock your salt water to prevent algae and maintain sanitation.

Need to decide what pool is right for your family? Visit The Pool Store in Valdosta at 3363 North Valdosta Rd. or in Thomasville at 1616 Smith Ave. Can’t stop in? Give them a call at (229) 247-6440 (Valdosta) or (229) 227-1194 (Thomasville).

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Written by: Julie Jernigan