Sun Safety Tips

Now that our four legged family members are a little bit safer, it’s time to make sure we keep you and your little ones safe when it comes to outdoor play during the day. After a long, brutal winter we’re all ready to get outside and soak up those rays. We need to be very careful, though, to keep our families safe from sunburn and skin damage. Here are some helpful tips to keep everyone happy and healthy this season.

~Start by always setting a good example for the rest of your family. We’re all guilty of worrying about everyone else and then forgetting ourselves. This summer, instead of waiting until the end (or forgetting) be sure to get yourself slathered up and set before you even more ahead to the kiddos. If mom/dad/aunt/uncle is all set with sunscreen and cover-up, they’re much more receptive to do the same.

~Try to limit your outside playtime when the sun is at its strongest. Between 10am and 4pm the summer sun is at its peak, as is the outdoor temperatures. Try to keep everyone out of the sun as much as possible during this time to limit the UV rays they’re absorbing.

~Apple sunscreen properly and often. For adults dermatologists actually suggest wearing sunscreen of 15SPF daily for regular activity, so when you’re going outside for the day be sure to up the ante. The level of SPF tells you how much protection you’ll have for a length of time. To be safe keep you and family members at at least a 30SPF, applied at least 30 minutes before heading outside, and reapplied every 2 to 3 hours.

~Cover up with dark colored cotton cover-ups whenever possible. I know we’re still of the sun tan mentality and automatically think “then what’s the point?” but no amount of tan is worth permanent skin damage. Cover up you children with long sleeves and pages in dark colors whenever possible (whites and light colors let rays though), and wear sun hats and UV sunglasses.

~Remember that children under 6 months old are not recommended to get any extra sun exposure.

~Treat all minor sun burns with aloe vera to help heal the skin more wholly.  If your children have severe sunburn consider consulting their pediatrician, especially if there is any blistering or a fever of 101 or greater. If a child less than 1 year gets sunburn it is always recommended to consult your pediatrician, no matter the severity.