Staying Safe OUTDOORS by Dr. Rebecca Butler (Lantana Resident), Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics
Simple Rules to Protect your Family from Sunburns •
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Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Find shade under a tree, an umbrella, or the stroller canopy, and know that these coverings do not protect completely from exposure to UVA/UVB rays. When possible, dress yourself and your children in cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body, such as lightweight cotton pants, longsleeved shirts, and hats. Select clothes made with a tight weave; they protect better than clothes with a looser weave. If you’re not sure how tight a fabric’s weave is, hold it up to see how much light shines through. The less light, the better. Wear a hat with an all-around 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears, and back of the neck. Limit the amount of sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. Wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection. Look for child-sized
Choosing an Insect Repellent for Your Child
The AAP recommends that repellents
should contain no more than 30% DEET
when used on children. Insect repellents also are not recommended for children younger than 2 months. Tips for Applying Do’s: •
Read the label and follow all
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Only apply insect repellents on the
sunglasses with UV protection for
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containing products should not be
Use sunscreen.
How to Pick Sunscreen
applied to skin. •
Use a sunscreen that says “broad-
UVA rays. •
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Use just enough repellent to cover your child’s clothing and exposed
skin. Avoid reapplying unless needed.
least 15 (up to SPF 50). An SPF of 15
Don’ts:
or 30 should be fine for most people.
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If possible, avoid the sunscreen
Use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed areas. Apply 15-30 minutes before going outdoors to give it time
and mouth. •
Do not spray insect repellent on cuts,
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Do not use products that combine
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Read on for more information from
to absorb. •
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
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For babies younger than 6 months: Use sunscreen on small areas of the body, such as the face, if protective clothing and shade are not available.
onto your child’s face. Instead, spray a it on your child’s face. Avoid the eyes
of concerns about mild hormonal properties.
Never spray insect repellent directly
little on your hands first and then rub
ingredient oxybenzone because
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avoid breathing them in or spray them child’s exposed skin.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at
Spray repellents in open areas to
into your hands and rub them into the
spectrum” on the label; that means it will screen out both UVB and
outside of your child’s clothing and
on exposed skin. Note: Permethrin-
your child. •
directions and precautions.
wounds, or irritated skin. DEET with sunscreen.
the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) about types of repellents, DEET, using repellents safely, and other ways to protect your child from insect bites.
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