Sun Safety For Kids
We spend a lot of the summer holidays at the beach. I bet you do too! If you don't, it really is a treat and a high point of summer if you are prepared.
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Teaching sun safety for kids is one of our responsibilities these days as a parent.
Not only are the sun's rays getting more intense it seems, every year we also are more aware through updated research and statistics that too much sun can be dangerous to our health.
No longer is a painful sunburn the consequence of too much unprotected time in the summer sun, now we know that long term sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.
Teaching our children life-long habits that will be able to help protect them from dangers and keeping them safe now includes sun safety as well as the good old-fashioned rules such as not talking to strangers and no chasing balls on the street.
In our present society, children are indoors more thanks to televisions, video games, movies and computers. It is almost a full time job for some parents to motivate and encourage their kids to go outside to play more.
The conflict of encouraging more outside time, with the intense message to protect their children from the sun has many parents worried and confused. Here are some easy ways to be able to effectively achieve sun safety for kids these days.
Teaching our children life-long habits that will be able to help protect them from dangers and keeping them safe now includes sun safety as well as the good old-fashioned rules such as not talking to strangers and no chasing balls on the street.
In our present society, children are indoors more thanks to televisions, video games, movies and computers. It is almost a full time job for some parents to motivate and encourage their kids to go outside to play more.
The conflict of encouraging more outside time, with the intense message to protect their children from the sun has many parents worried and confused. Here are some easy ways to be able to effectively achieve sun safety for kids these days.
1. Be a sun protection role model. Children of all ages look up to their parents and caregivers as examples of how they are to behave. Show them how to protect themselves.
2. Keep a baby under 12 months out of direct sun. Keep them in the shade or a covered stroller. There are all kinds of unique products to do this now.
3. Don't play outside during peak UV ray times of 11am to 4pm. Keep kids indoors during these times and play outside when the sun isn't as strong.
4. Wear sunscreen with an SPF over 15. Apply it at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors and reapply often. Make sure you apply carefully to noses, cheeks, ears, and feet. If playing near water or doing exercise that causes sweating, reapply more frequently than usual. Don't forget lip balm for their lips and the tops of their ears (or be sure they are tucked under a cap or hat!).
5. Cover up. Find and wear a full-brimmed hat to cover your child's face and neck. Find wraparound sunglasses that offer both UVA and UVB protection to shield eyes from the sun. Wear clothing that has long sleeves and legs, is light in colour and loose from the body. T-shirts are available with decals that will change colour when exposed to the sun for too long. Not only are these a good tool, they are fun for the kids too.
6. Shade your outdoor play areas. Use a beach umbrella or area tent to cover the sandbox or patio table. Teach your child that if their shadow is smaller than they are, the sun is at the most dangerous and they need to be in the shade to stay safe.
7. Limit sun time. Play outside for short periods of time, take a break from the sun for a while then have another small play time. 20 minutes in, 20 minutes out is a good rule of thumb.
8. Ask your child's school to participate in programs that help teach and encourage better sun safety. Some schools continue to enforce the no-hats rule on school property or consider sunscreen as a medicine only to be applied by the school nurse.These need to be addressed for recess hours when children are outside during peak hours. Canadian schools have the opportunity to register for the UV Index Sun Awareness Program, which teaches the importance of the UV index and how to watch for it.Sports days and outside events are especially problematic as children are often not allowed in the schools at all, and many school properties provide little shade. Something maybe we should work on as sun safety for our kids is a real health care issue these days.
9. Have a sun-kit in your car. During the summer, you never know when you are going to make previously unplanned stops at parks, the beach, or a friend's backyard. What should you include in your sun-kit?
- A Bottle of sunscreen - make sure to check the expiry date first.
- An umbrella to provide some shade.
- An extra set of clothes for each child in case their clothes get wet. Wet clothing loses its ability to block the sun fully.
- An extra hat for each child.
- Lip balm with SPF.
- Even though we try our best to avoid sunburns, they might still happen. Plan ahead and carry some natural sunburn remedies.
Research has shown that as many as one in five people will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.
As with every aspect of parenting, there's no need to be afraid of allowing our children to play in the sun, it is actually beneficial, but it's important to be aware of the dangers of exposure to the sun and help teach sun safety for kids so that they can learn to protect themselves.
Additional Information
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