Sun Safety for Families

Posted by Michelle Carchrae Aug 19, 2008

As a kid I suffered several bad sunburns, complete with blisters and weeks spent peeling skin off my shoulders. Ouch, ugh and ick. Now that I have a child of my own, I'm extra careful to make sure that she is protected from the sun so that she won't have to experience sunburn the way I did. With the heat of summer now upon us, here's a few tips to help you and your young ones stay safe in the sun.

If possible, stay in the shade between 10am and 2pm. It's not always realistic to keep kids out of the sun during the middle of the day, but if you can it really does help minimize their risk of sunburn. This is the best way to protect infants, especially babies under the age of six months, who are too young for sunscreens.

Protect your skin while you are in the sun. Always remember your SPF 15+ sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. If you can't find any shade, a loose long sleeved top can give extra protection to your shoulders and arms.

SPF clothing is a great option for active kids who like to play in the water. Unlike sunscreen, the SPF protection in special swimsuits won't wash off, and lasts for as long as your child wants to play in the sun.

Sun protection doesn't have to be difficult, but it does take a little bit of advance planning to schedule your outings around sun-safe hours and remember to bring your sun protection gear with you. The rewards of sun safety are many, however, and avoiding sunburn and an increased risk of skin cancer are certainly worth it. Have fun in the sun and stay safe!