One out of 3 Americans gets sunburned every year. Sun safety is an important part of keeping your kids happy and healthy. Being outdoors has multiple benefits for people of all ages, and the more outdoor playtime your kids have, the better! A good time outside can quickly turn bad, however, if proper sun protection isn’t used. If you have ever experienced sun burn and the peeling skin and sun damage after, then you already know some of the reasons why sun safety is important! In this article, we will go over a few tips for sun safety as your kids enjoy the great outdoors!
The Importance of Sun Safety
Sun exposure can have benefits, so getting outside is still encouraged! Sunlight is a source of Vitamin D for people of all ages. Just a small amount of sun exposure can increase Vitamin D levels, which creates better Vitamin C absorption to make strong bones. Vitamin D can also be obtained through a diet full of fruits of vegetables, or a multivitamin.
Too much sun exposure can cause sunburn, skin damage, compromised immune system, and even skin cancer. The sun can also cause eye damage in the retina.
The thing about sun damage is that it can go undetected for years. Getting a sunburn as a 10-year-old can turn into a spot of skin cancer when you are twenty. Sun safety as kids is just as important, if not more important, than sun safety as adults.
The sun emits ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) that can both cause sun damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays have a longer wavelength and affect the aging of skin. UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and affect the burning of the skin. UV rays react to the melanin in our skin, which can lead to sunburn, wrinkles, drying out of the skin, eye damage, and can eventually lead to skin cancer. People of all skin tones need to practice sun safety.
Sun Safety Tips
These sun safety tips will come in handy the next time you and your family want to venture outside!
Tip #1 – Use sunscreen
The importance of good coverage, broad spectrum sunscreen cannot be stressed enough. According to the CDC, sun damage can occur within 15 minutes, and it can take up to 12 hours before the full effects of a sunburn are visible on skin.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen (broad spectrum means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays) of at least 30 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is recommended for kids. A waterproof sunscreen is best to use for any outdoor activity near water (swimming, fishing, sprinklers, etc.). I use waterproof sunscreen on my boys, especially during sports season as it will stay put through sweat as well! Sunscreen should be reapplied regularly. I aim for every two to three hours when we’re outside. You might want to consider a sunscreen with zinc oxide for kids. It creates an extra barrier over the skin and is less likely to irritate your little one’s skin.
Make applying sunscreen part of your daily routine. If kids get used to putting on sunscreen each morning before going outside, it won’t be as hard to remember for specific occasions. Sunscreen sticks are a convenient way to have kids apply sunscreen to their forehead, cheeks, nose, ears, and chin. The ears and neck are areas that people often forget to apply sunscreen, so start with those first! Definitely remember to use either lip balm or sunscreen on the lips.
Tip #2 Protect the eyes
While sunglasses may seem like just another fashion accessory, they provide much needed protection from the sun. Find sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Read labels carefully, as many sunglasses made for kids that depict their favorite characters do not offer the best protection from the sun.
For older children, purchase a lanyard to attach to the sunglasses so the glasses don’t get lost when the kids are being active. Sunglass lanyards with a break-away clasp at the back are best for safety precautions.
Sun damage to the eyes builds up over time, so teaching your children about protecting their eyes from the sun early is important!
If your child wears prescription glasses, find sunglasses specially designed to fit over their glasses. You may also want to consider getting transition lenses that darken when the child goes outside in the sun. Transition lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and are available in shatter and impact-resistant materials.
Sun damage to the eyes builds up over time, so teaching your children about protecting their eyes from the sun early is important!
If you are taking kids swimming, be sure their goggles have UV protection as well. The reflection of the sun off water can cause additional damage.
Tip #3 Wear a Wide Brimmed Hat
If your child simply won’t wear sunglasses, a hat or visor will also work at keeping the eyes shaded from the sun. While the retina won’t be protected from UVA and UVB rays, any amount of protection is better than none!
A hat also offers shaded protection to sensitive skin on the face and neck.
Another area a hat protects is the scalp. Some of the worst sunburn I ever experienced was in the part of my hairline. It’s near impossible to apply sunscreen to the hair, so wearing a hat is a great way to protect a sensitive scalp. If your child’s hair is long enough, consider pulling it up into a ponytail and tuck inside a hat to prevent burning of the hairline as well.
Find a wide-brimmed hat with adjustable chin strap for the best protection. Some hats are made with material that has built-in UVA protection which is even better. A baseball cap or visor will also protect the eyes and face, but the back of the neck will still be exposed.
Tip #4 Choose Clothing that Protects the Skin
If your children are going to be outside for an extended period, consider dressing them in clothes that are made to protect against the sun’s rays. Clothing with built-in UV protection is widely available at most retailers. Look for long sleeves and pants that are made from lightweight and breathable material.
My kids love the look and feel of shirts made for fishing and boat outings. These shirts have vents on the back that prevent overheating and come in a wide variety of colors for boys and girls.
Water shirts are another great alternative to wear outdoors. These shirts are made of swimsuit material and usually have built-in sun protection. The best thing about swim shirts is they can get wet! Let the sprinkler, splash pad, and water fun begin!
Tip #5 Stay in the Shade
Even with the sun safety tips above, your child can still become overheated while playing outside in the sun. Where possible, have you kids play in the shade of a tree, pavilion, or other shelter. If you are somewhere without shade, like the beach, bring or rent an umbrella or small tent to offer kids a break from the sun.
I keep an umbrella in my car not only for rain, but also for having a way to access shade. This comes in handy especially during sporting events or practices! Some portable lawn chairs come equipped with canopies for another layer of sun protection.
Avoid the sun during the strongest rays of the day if possible. 10:00 am-4:00 pm are when the rays are strongest, with 12:00 pm-2:00 pm being the peak hours. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible, especially during these hours.
Tip #6 Stay Hydrated
Heat exhaustion is a common problem, especially during the summer months. I live in Georgia where the humidity is thick and makes the hottest days feel like the surface of the sun! When my kids are playing outside or participating in sports, I must make sure they stay well hydrated to protect themselves from heat exhaustion.
Water is the drink of choice for hydration but if your child is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion, they need hydration with electrolytes. Drinks like Gatorade, Powerade, and Pedialyte have added electrolytes to aid in hydration.
Keep reusable water bottles handy at all times when your children are exposed to the sun. I prefer the Hydra-type flasks that keep ice cold most of the day. While any water is helpful in staying hydrated, cold water will aid the most in keeping body temperature normal.
Tip # 7 Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
• Excessive sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle aches/spasms
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting
While it may feel like extra work, it’s a good idea to have a cooler packed with ice, water and an electrolyte-enhanced beverage whenever your children are going to be outdoors playing for an extended time. You will also want to have some first aid essentials on hand, such as cooling towels, ice packs, and stretchy ace bandages.
When heat exhaustion sets in, the heart works faster and harder to pump blood. The body starts to pull all available resources to keep the heart pumping, and other areas start to shut down. This is why muscle spasms, dizziness, and nausea can occur. The first thing that needs to be done to slow the heart rate down is to bring the body temperature down.
If your child is showing signs of heat exhaustion, immediately give them an electrolyte beverage and apply ice packs to their arm pits, back of the neck, groin, and behind the knees. Use cooling towels on their forehead and neck and secure the ice packs using stretchy ace bandages. Have the child lie down (if possible) and elevate their feet so the blood can circulate easier to the heart.
If your child has lost consciousness, or shows signs of extreme heat exhaustion, call 911.
For children that play sports, if the weather is forecasting extreme heat, consider playing indoors or reducing the amount of padding or helmets during practice. Always use your best judgement when allowing your children to play outdoors during excessive heat and keep your first aid kit and packed cooler handy!
Tip #8 Check Medications
Some medications have warning labels that mention staying out of direct sunlight while on the medicine. Some medicines cause extra sensitivity to the sun, where even sunblock and staying in the shade won’t help prevent a burn. It’s best to keep children indoors that are on medications that cause extra sensitivity to sun rays.
Tips for Treating Sunburn in Kids
Sometimes things happen and a sunburn can occur. Here are some tips for treating sunburn.
• Apply aloe vera gel to the burn. Aloe vera has proven properties that can help cool and heal a sunburn. Apply gently to the area and let dry. Reapply often.
• Take a tepid bath. Especially for all over sunburn, a tepid bath can help cool the skin down. You can also apply cool, wet cloths to the skin for temporary comfort.
• Take an anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen (for example, Children’s Motrin) can help reduce the swelling a sunburn can cause. Acetaminophen can also be used for pain and itching associated with a sunburn.
• Moisturize the skin. After a sunburn, skin can dry out and start to peel. Use a moisturizer with Vitamin E or lavender to remoisturize the skin. Never use a petroleum jelly-based moisturizer as this can trap heat.
Other Things to Consider
There are some other things to consider when keeping your kids safe from the harmful effects of the sun.
• The sun rays are stronger the closer you get to the equator.
• Remember to increase sun care routines based on where you are. If you are vacationing in a climate much hotter than where you live, the sun rays are going to be stronger. This applies for elevation level as well.
• Sun damage can still occur with overcast skies. UVA and UVB rays can penetrate clouds.
• Sun damage can occur through windows as well. If you are going to be traveling long distances where the sun will be beaming in the car, remember to apply sunscreen or use a sunshade to block harmful rays.
Being outside and playing in the sun is something all kids love to do. The sun has many benefits, so don’t be afraid to let your children play outside! By following these sun safety tips, your children will be protected from harmful rays.
