Sun Protection - What You Need to Know

It’s summertime and that means it is sun protection season. I know it’s not really a thing, but it kinda is for us Florida moms, right?

Summer means fun outside with bubbles, the beach, swimming in the pool, bike riding, sidewalk chalk, playing at the park, birthday parties on the big water slides…basically LOTS of time in the sun!

When we are hanging outdoors, we need to do our best to protect ourselves and our kiddos from the suns harmful rays. It goes without saying that we NEED the sun for making Vitamin D, but once we are outdoors for more than 20 minutes, the suns rays can be dangerous.

-- Sun Facts

- A few blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person’s lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer.

- Infants under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sun as much as possible because their skin is not yet protected by melanin.

- Young children’s skin is especially sensitive to chemical allergens, as well as, the suns UV rays.

- More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the US than all other cancers combined.

- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by 70 years old.

- On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.

- Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50%.

- Not all sunscreens are created equal.

When you head outdoors this summer with the kids, be sure to arm yourself with proper sun protection. Obviously sunscreen protects our skin from the harmful UVA and UVB sun rays, but we can take extra precautions too.

-- Top 5 tips for sun protection IN ADDITION to sunscreen:

- Check the UV Index. The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure. Usually from 10a – 4p the UV Index is at its strongest.

- Wear clothing to shield your skin. Hats, shirts, and cover ups shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays, and ultimately helping to reduce the burn risk factor.

- Sunglasses are an essential. Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation.

- Plan your time outdoors around the sun. Go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky. Find shade or make some. Picnic under a tree or take a canopy to the beach.

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