Dressing Your Child for Sun Protection

Wearing lightweight full-length clothing is a very effective way to keep children safe in the sun. Ideally, sun safe clothing includes both long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Sun protection clothing is even more important for infants under six months old (who should not wear sunscreen) and children who are allergic to sunscreen or won't wear it.

Long sleeves and long pants provide extra protection against the sun for both you and your child, but could also lead to overheating on hot days! In high heat and humidity, long sleeves and pants may not be appropriate. The key is to avoid both overheating and getting too much sun. Try to get the most coverage that is reasonable for the weather. For example, try short sleeves as a compromise between long sleeves and sleeveless.

Find a Cool Wide-brimmed Hat for Your Child

Children and adults should wear hats with wide brims year-round to get the best protection for their face, ears and neck.

Hats should:

• Have at least a 3-inch brim all the way around or flaps on the sides and in back
• Be made of a non-see-through material, such as canvas
• Fully shade the face, ears and neck

Avoid straw hats if they have holes that allow light penetration . If you also wear a sun safe wide brimmed hat you will set a good example for your child.

Protect Children's Feet

Closed-toe shoes made of any solid material provide the best sun protection. Shoes that cover the feet also protect children from injuries, bites and stings, as well as from the sun. The feet and ankles are easy to miss when applying sunscreen, especially if a child is wearing sandals.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses can help protect eyes from long-term UV damage, including cataracts, macular degeneration and eye-related cancers. Sunglasses may not work for infants or children with glasses. Take extra effort to keep these children in shade with little reflected sunlight.

Teaching young children to wear and care for sunglasses can be difficult. However, it pays to help them learn this sun safe habit as early as possible. The earlier you teach children to wear sunglasses, the lower their risk of eye problems later. Wear your own sunglasses to provide a good example for children.