Sun Safety Tips

When the warm weather arrives, we all head outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. While the warmth of the sun is enticing after a long winter, take precautions to protect your child's skin.

·        Avoid direct sunlight from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.

·        Have your child wear a hat and light-colored clothing. Consider sun-protected clothing.

·        Apply a water-proof sunscreen with SPF of 30 or above that protects against both UVA and UVB to all body parts not covered by the light-colored clothing.

·        Apply sunscreen generously! Avoid areas around and above the eyes.

·        Be extra careful to apply sunscreen to hands, ears, tops of feet, shoulders and the back of neck.

·        Wear lip protection with sunscreen.

·        Lift up your child’s bathing suit straps and apply sunscreen.

·        Re-apply sunscreen at least every 2 hours.

·        Infants under 6 months have skin that is more sensitive to the sun. Limit their exposure to the sun. When out in the sun, clothe the infant in light-colored clothing that covers as much of the body as possible. Use sunscreen sparingly on exposed body parts.

·        Limit sun exposure around water (pools or beach), keeping in mind that the sun rays reflect off the water.

·        Remember to use sun protection on cloudy days as well as sunny days since ultraviolet rays can penetrate clouds.

·        Have your child wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection to protect his/her eyes. Use head straps to keep the sunglasses on.

·        Ask your pharmacist or physician if the daily meds your child takes may increase your child’s sensitivity to the sun. If so, take extra sun precautions.

·        Take the same sun precautions for yourself that you do for your child!