Stay out of the sun from 11:00 - 4:00
Harmful UV radiation is strongest during these hours. UV radiation is the prime cause of sunburn, skin aging and skin cancer.
Seek Shade or Create Your Own
· Shade can be portable or permanent. It can be natural or man made
· This is an easy and effective way to protect you and your family from the sun
Slip on a Shirt!
· clothing acts as a physical block to stop the sun's rays getting through to your skin.
· closely-knit fabrics work best - any garment that you can see through also lets UV rays through.
· when a fabric is wet, it loses some if its ability to block out solar rays. The material becomes more transparent and allows light to penetrate through to the skin.
Slap on a Hat
· choose a hat with a wide-brim (3-4" wide on all sides)
· This is a simple and cheap form of sun protection
· while baseball caps are popular, they offer little protection to the face, neck and ears.
Slop on Sunscreen
· no sunscreen offers complete protection from the sun
· dermatologists recommend SPF 15 sunscreen that screens out most of both UVB and UVA rays of the sun.
· apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before you go out to allow the active ingredients to soak into the skin.
· follow sunscreen application directions carefully
· reapply every 2-3 hours to maintain protection.
· Don't forget to use sunscreen on the ears, nose and neck, since these are the areas where skin cancers often occur.
· to avoid burning the tops of thighs and chest areas, apply sunscreen to a child's body before putting on a bathing suit. Pay attention to back of knees and tops of feet.
· skin cancer also appears on the lips, so use a SPF 15 sunscreen lip balm as well and reapply it.
· Consider sunglasses
o offer excellent protection for your eyes
o should block 100% UV rays
o begin wearing them as a child
o UV radiation can cause eye irritation and tissue damage.
Infants
· keep children under 1 year of age out of direct sunlight.
· do not use sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age (a baby is likely to absorb more of the product through its skin than an older child would).
Protect Your Child Year Round
· children can get sunburn even on a cloudy day. Up to 80% of the sun's rays can penetrate light clouds, mist and fog.
· 50% of the sun's harmful UVB radiations bounce back from sand, snow and concrete.
· provide more shade in the form of trees or shade structures. Children's play areas should be in a shady spot.
When Is It Too Hot Or Sunny For Outdoor Activity?
Playing or working where it is too hot can cause problems for anyone. Heat puts stress on our body's cooling system. Children are more likely than adults to lose body fluid and become dehydrated (dry) or develop heat stroke. Playing in an outdoor play area that is sunny and protected from the wind will result in more heat stress than playing in an area that is shaded and exposed to summer breezes.
As well as immediate sunburn resulting from too much sun, prolonged exposure to sunshine can permanently damage the skin and cause serious problems later in life. On a hot day, the sun can also overheat surfaces such as metal and asphalt. Children can be burned simply by touching these hot surfaces.
To Protect Children From Over-exposure To Sun And Heat:
Avoid outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day. This will also help protect children from overheating.
Ensure children and adults wear wide-brimmed hats when in the sun. Dress children in light-weight, light-coloured clothing on particularly hot days.
Use a broad-spectrum product that screens out most of the UVB and UVA rays (it should say so on the label). The sun protection factor (SPF) should be a minimum of 15. Sunscreen should always be used along with hats, clothing and shade, not instead of them.
Whenever possible, apply the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. The active ingredients need time to combine with elements in the skin to offer maximum protection. Cover exposed areas generously, including ears, nose, the tops of feet and backs of knees.
Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding eyelids. Children tend to rub their eyes, and stinging could be a problem.
Choose or create shaded areas for activities.
Ensure children drink fluids before and after outdoor play. If they are thirsty while outside, allow them to drink right away. Thirst can be an early signal that dehydration is starting.
Closely observe children in wheelchairs who are wearing shorts. Their bare thighs may need to be covered periodically with a light cloth or towel to prevent sunburn. The vinyl and metal of the wheelchair can also become very warm.
Balance vigourous play with quiet play to allow natural cooling of the body.
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