Help Me Grow: Here comes the Sun, now what?

Finally, we are coming up on those hot, dry summer months! Summer is definitely the time of the year when families are playing at the park, cooking out, swimming and boating, and soaking up the sun. The sun has the potential to be harmful and cause sunburns and skin cancer. What better way to start off the summer knowing the best ways to protect your family in the sun?

Here are 8 useful ways for optimal protection against the sun from healthychildren.org:

1) Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Find shade under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy.

2) When possible, dress yourself and your kids in cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body, like lightweight cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats.

3) Select clothes made with a tight weave - they protect better than clothes with a looser weave. If you’re not sure how tight a fabric’s weave is, hold it up to see how much light shines through. The less light, the better

4) Wear a hat or cap with a brim that faces forward to shield the face.

5 )Limit your sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, when UV rays are strongest.

6) Wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection (look for child-sized sunglasses with UV protection for your child).

7) Use sunscreen. When applying sunscreen, you need to make sure to use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed areas including the face, nose, ears, feet, hands, and even the backs of the knees. Make sure to rub it in well and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors to give time for the sunscreen to absorb into the skin. To prevent sunburns, make sure you are reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours because sunscreen wears off after swimming, sweating, or just from soaking into the skin.

8) Set a good example.You can be the best teacher by practicing sun protection yourself. Teach all members of your family how to protect their skin and eyes.