The Truth About Summer Germs

Take Quick Quiz Fashioned By Dr. Mallika Marshall; Get Tips To Help You And Yours Stay Healthy Wile Enjoying Season

(CBS)  Summer's almost here, which means you and your kids will be spending their days at the beach, in the pool, in the back yard and other fun spots.

But bear in mind that it's not all fun and games. There are hidden dangers lurking: germs, bacteria, bugs, and worse.

How much do you know about them, and how can you keep summer fun from making your family sick?

On The Early Show Saturday Editions, Dr. Mallika Marshall offered a quick quiz, and some important pointers.

1) It is the start of barbecue season, so let's start with all those great summer foods. We all know we have to cook those burgers all the way through to prevent e-coli. But how long is it safe to leave even cooked meats, salads and all those condiments outdoors?

Is it 30 minutes, two hours, four hours or indefinitely, as long as they are covered?

Answer: two hours

2) Summer means a lot more outdoor time for your kids, and if they're little, they just might be hitting the sandbox. So, true or false, children can actually get sick from playing in the sandbox?

Answer: true, from animal parasites in droppings from wild and domesticated animals alike, so wash kids’ hands after they’ve been in one.

3) We hear so much about ticks and Lyme disease, but there's an awful lot of confusion about it, such as this: True or false: A tick must stay on the body for at least 48 hours before it can transmit the Lyme disease bacterium.

Answer: true

4) You might think your child is safer swimming in your pool than in the ocean or a nearby lake. So, true or false: pools that are chlorinated are free from germs.

Answer: false. Some parasites are resistant to chlorine, so don’t drink pool water.

5) Another big worry you have in the summer that you don't really face in the winter: insect bites. You want to protect your family from the bugs without using a chemical that can harm them, and we're always hearing warnings about "Deet" and its safety. So, true or false, it is unsafe to use insect repellants containing Deet on children under one year of age?

Answer: false

6) A big danger you're always hearing about is sun exposure. But between the bugs and the sun, we're always looking for the best way to protect our kids, and make it a little easier on the wallet and a little easier on you when you're at the beach. So, true or false, products that contain both a sunscreen and insect repellants are a great option for children.

Answer: false

7) You child is less likely to get sick from holding a pet frog than an outside frog?

Answer: False. Domesticated reptiles are more likely to harbor salmonella than wild ones, so make sure you wash your kids’ hands anytime they touch a reptile.

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But how long is it safe to leave even cooked meats, salads and all those condiments outdoors?

Is it 30 minutes, two hours, four hours or indefinitely, as long as they are covered?

Answer: two hours

FALSE You do not leave mayo or mayonaise based salads in the heat for two hours. Those should be covered AND refrigerated as soon as possible.