Don't take property tax assessment lying down...

After five years of real estate free fall, Dale received his new property tax assessment. According to county appraisers, his home had increased in value more than $7,000 since last year! His new county appraised value? $288,600. The problem is the real world, the world of supply and demand, as reflected via resources such as www.zillow.com, says his home is worth $228,000. As much as he would love to believe DeKalb County's number, he knows it's simply not true. Click HERE to to read more from Dale regarding why DeKalb County's property tax experts claim his home increased in value - the past two years - while the real world - ruled by supply and demand, proves that home values have actually decreased - another 18 percent across the board in the past year.

Before heading outdoors, follow these tips to maximize your sunscreen's protection:

1. Apply sunscreen early - and liberally

Your skin can take up to a half-hour to absorb sunscreen. So, plan ahead and apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. And, don't skimp on the sunscreen. "Most people don't apply enough sunscreen," Chon says. "For sunscreen to do its job effectively you should apply one ounce of sunscreen - the size of a golf ball - to every part of your body exposed to the sun." That includes your ears, feet and back of the neck.

2. Reapply sunscreen every two hours

Forget all-day protection. Sunscreen wears off after just a couple of hours. So, make sure you lather on another golf ball-sized glob every two hours. In some cases, you should reapply sunscreen every 60 to 90 minutes. Do this if you're:

• Using a spray sunscreen. It needs to be reapplied more often because it washes off more easily.
• Swimming or sweating. Water, snow and sand can intensify the sun's rays and cause a greater burn.

3. Don't rely on sunscreen alone

Unfortunately, sunscreen can't completely prevent sunburns, blisters and skin cancer. But you can give your skin some added protection by wearing: lip balm with SPF 30 or higher a tightly woven hat with a wide brim wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection a tightly woven, dark long-sleeved shirt or special sun-protective clothing. You also can protect your skin by seeking shade from the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That's when the sun's harmful UV rays are strongest. "Remember, no sunscreen provides 100% protection from the sun," Chon says. "But by taking these added precautions and taking the time to apply - and reapply - sunscreen properly, you can greatly curb your chances for sunburns and skin cancer."

*Source: https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/issues/2011-may...