Keep Your Children Sun Safe: Stay in the Shade

The best sun protection comes from using several sun safe methods. A key method is to limit the amount of time in the sun, especially in the middle of the day, when the sun's rays are the strongest. You can either stay inside or plan outdoor activities in the shade. Teaching children to play in the shade is key. It's a great way to keep kids sun safe and cool!

Reduce Midday Sun Exposure

The sun's rays are the strongest and most direct between 10 am and 4 pm. Two strategies for reducing midday sun exposure are:

• Schedule outdoor activities before 10 am or after 4 pm.
• During midday hours, reduce sun exposure by planning outdoor activities that can be done in shaded areas. Remember: Some UV light is reflected in shady areas.

Use Existing Shade

The least expensive way to provide shade is to use the shade you already have. Find shade that exists in your yard, local parks and other play areas. Move portable play equipment to shaded areas in your yard. Or schedule activities for times when your play equipment is shaded by buildings or trees.

As the sun moves throughout the day, different areas will be in shade at different times of the day. Also, you'll notice that because the angle of the sun changes throughout the year, shaded areas will be different in different seasons.

Create Shade

If you don't have enough shady play areas, consider creating more shade by:

• Planting fast-growing trees
• Installing shade structures
• Reducing the amount you trim existing trees

Fast-growing trees grow 2 feet or more in a normal growing season and can provide useful shade within a few years.

You can also create shade by using:

• Tents
• Canopies
• Awnings
• Beach or patio umbrellas

Make sure the fabrics are tightly woven, not mesh. Canvas is a good fabric for shade structures.

Be careful, though. Umbrellas placed on light-colored surfaces may only reduce UV light by 50%. Even under a tree or umbrella, UV light is reflected by:

• Snow
• White sand
• Cement
• White painted surfaces

Placing shade structures on surfaces that don't reflect light, such as grass, will reduce the amount of UV light reflected.

Seek Shade If Shadows Are Short

Teach children to play in the shade if their shadow is shorter than they are tall. For younger children, you may have to start by teaching them about shadows!

UV rays are most intense when the sun is highest overhead, usually from 10 am to 4 pm. When the sun is strongest, children's shadows are shorter than they are tall. Earlier or later in the day (and in the winter months), when the sun's rays are less damaging, shadows are longer.

Lobby for More Shade in Public Spaces

If your local public areas do not have enough shade, you can lobby for more shade. You can suggest ideas for both natural and man-made shade for new and existing play areas. Write letters to:

• Local parks and recreation departments

• Schools

• PTAs

• School boards