Summer is in full swing — day trips, vacations, BBQs, the works! With all this fun in the sun, it’s important to think safety first.
Sun safety is important all year round, but even more so in the summer when we spend most of our time outdoors. Too much sun can be very harmful to you and your family.
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during childhood — and that just one blistering sunburn can double the risk of getting melanoma later in life. Protect your family by following these tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation:
Avoid Peak Sun: The sun’s UV rays are most intense between 10am and 4pm. If possible, avoid spending extended periods of time outdoors during the midday sun.
Generously Apply Sunscreen: Apply to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Don’t forget nose, ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck; lips can also burn, so apply a lip balm with SPF protection. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
Wear Protective Clothing: Wearing protective clothing and hats is one of the most important ways of warding off UV damage. When wet, light-colored clothing transmits just as much sunlight as bare skin. Keep your kids covered with dark colors, long sleeves, and pants whenever possible. And don’t forget to pack sunglasses with UV protection to guard against burned corneas, and hats with brims to prevent sunburned scalps and faces.
Seek the Shade, Never a Tan: Bring along a large umbrella to the beach and park. Be aware, however, that sunlight bouncing off reflective surfaces can reach you even beneath an umbrella or a tree. There is no such thing as a healthy tan.
Stay Hydrated: Be sure that your children are drinking lots of water when they’re spending time in the sun. Children often don’t realize how thirsty they are or are too busy playing to stop and take a drink. Offer beverages throughout the day to avoid dehydration which occurs faster in warm weather.
If you find yourself in a situation where your child doesn’t like sunscreen, try using a spray-on sunscreen.. The application is a lot easier and can also be fun for the child. I also recommend encouraging children to help with the application (if they are interested and old enough).
Don’t forget that healthy habits are best learned young. Because skin damage occurs with each unprotected exposure and accumulates over the course of a lifetime, sun safety for children should be a priority.
