Sun Safety Tips
Summer time is here, school’s out and it is really getting hot out there! Making sure your family stays protected in the heat is important in order to avoid any sun damage or heat-related illness. Here are a few sun safety tips to keep in mind while having fun in the sun.
- Keep babies under one year of age out of direct sunlight to prevent skin damage and dehydration. Ensure they are under the shade, a tree, an umbrella, or a canopy when outside.
- Do not put sunscreen on a baby less than 6 months old without asking your health care provider first.
- Remember that you and your child can burn in as little as 15 minutes, so always be sure to wear sunscreen prior to heading outside and to re-apply after being in the water as needed. This includes applying sunscreen in places you might not think of like the tops of ears, the back of the neck, and the tops of feet.
- Use items like sun hats, sunglasses, and UV-protected rash guard shirts to minimize the sun’s effects.
- The sun’s UVB rays are usually the strongest between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to minimize the time children are outside during these hours, particularly very young children, unless they are protected.
- Give kids lots of cool liquids while outside. They will enjoy frozen treats like popsicles as well. Try and make sure they take breaks periodically inside in the cooler air.