Keep Your Kids Safe in the Sun

Summer time is here and the kids are playing outside for hours each day. Even if they aren't swimming, it is important to think about keeping them safe and healthy while out in the sun. Protection against the sun throughout the early years of life may lessen your child's chance of skin cancer in adulthood. This article will cover some simple facts about the sun's powerful rays, and some simple ways to protect your child this summer!

The sun has three main forms of ultraviolet rays that is radiates towards the earth. These rays are essential to the proper function and heating of the earth, but can cause serious damage to our skin. The three types of ultraviolet rays are: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA are the most common form of rays that reach the earth. These rays are also emitted from tanning beds to produce a tan on your skin. UVA rays pass through the ozone layer very easily, so they are found in plenty throughout the atmosphere. UVA rays can cause cancer and other aging signs such as wrinkles to your skin. UVB rays are more severe and may cause cancer, cataracts and may even damage your immune system. Melanoma is thought to be linked to sunburns caused by UVB rays before the age of 20. This is just one reason it is vital to protect your children in the sun. UVB rays do not pass through the ozone as easily as UVA rays, so they are less plentiful. The last type of ultraviolet ray the sun emits is UVC rays. UVC rays are very damaging, but the ozone layer does not allow these rays to permeate so, the UVC rays are not able to reach the earth and damage our skin.

There are so many ways to protect yourself and your child from the sun's damaging rays. One simple yet effective way is to avoid the heat of the midday. The sun's rays are the strongest from 11am-3pm. Go outside to play in the early morning before the sun has reached the high sky. Afternoon and evening trips to the park or backyard play can be so much fun, and safer for everyone involved. Swimming in the late afternoon may also be more desirable as there may be fewer people at the local swimming pool. It is important to use another form of sun protection when you will be out for longer periods of time and you cannot avoid the heat of the day.

One more very effective way to protect children from the sun is to simply cover their skin. Very light clothing may be worn over the child's skin to absorb some of the UV rays from the sun. A beach umbrella is also a great way to provide shade when there is no natural shade available. Tents specially made for the beach, or sunny areas are also very effective to protect your skin from the sun. Even resting in the shade for a bit to allow your skin some recovery time from the sun will help to prevent further damage. Infants should always be placed in a shady spot to prevent the sun from damaging their very fine, sensitive skin.

Sunscreen is probably the most used skin protectant. Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF level. The SPF level is a number that indicates the amount of time your child will receive protection from the sunscreen. A SPF level of 30 will give your child 30 minutes of protection from the sun's harmful rays. Sunscreen needs to be applied ahead of time so that the skin can absorb the chemicals that will provide the protection. If your child is swimming or sweating, be sure to choose a sunscreen that is water proof, and apply more often. Water acts like a magnifying glass to the sun's rays and intensifies their strength.

It is also very important to protect your child's eyes from the sun. The same rays that may cause skin damage can cause eye damage. The sun may burn the cornea and eventually may lead to cataracts. The most efficient way to protect your eyes is with sunglasses. Be sure to read the labels to see that the lenses provide 100% UV protection.

The sun is all around us and we cannot escape it. Follow these simple guidelines and you should stay safe in the sun. Avoid the strongest sun hours of the day, wear light coverings and find shady areas, use sunscreen efficiently and wear sunglasses. The sun is our friend, but can be our enemy when we don't follow these simple rules!