7 Simple Steps to Sun Protection:
• Keep children out of the sun during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• It is not always possible to stay out of the sun, so provide kids with wide-brimmed or legionnaire-style sun-hats, as well as clothing, for sun protection (and wear one yourself). A closely-woven material will shield the skin best. Comfortable long shirts and long pants will cover most of the body.
• Babies over the age of six months can wear a sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum, SPF 15 sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin.
• Watch out for reflected light since up to 85% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet B rays can bounce back from sand, snow, concrete and water, adding additional UV radiation.
• Kids can get sunburnt on a cloudy day. Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate light clouds, mist and fog.
• Create a sun-safe environment for your children. Look at providing more shade, like shady trees in your garden. Plan your kids’ play area in a shady spot.
• Make sun protection a habit and set a good example. Teach children about sun protection so that they become aware of the dangers and can start taking precautions that will become lifelong, healthy habits.
Protecting Your Baby’s Skin
We can all see that babies have delicate and sensitive skin which can be easily injured by the sun.
Keep babies under one year old out of direct sunlight, either in a covered stroller, under an umbrella or in the shade. This will not only protect their skin against sun damage but will also prevent dehydration or sunstroke.
Shield baby’s skin with hats and loose-fitting clothing. Closely-knit fabrics block out most of the sun’s rays. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants will cover up most of the body.
Do not use sunscreens on babies under six months old.
Treating A Sunburn
• For babies under one year old, a sunburn should be treated as an emergency. Call your family doctor.
• If a child one year or older has a sunburn with severe pain, headache, blistering, lethargy or fever, call your doctor.
From “Your Kids and the Sun” pamphlet, reprinted with permission of The Canadian Dermatology Association.
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