Summer Safety Tips: Sun and Heat Precaution

Sun Safety

Summer is here and with it comes more outdoor activities and travel. Regardless of your plans this summer, there are some safety precautions that all families should be aware of.

Tips for Babies under 6 months

• Avoiding sun exposure – dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck.

Tips for all

• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear a hat with a brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection and clothing with a tight weave.
• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen – about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

Heat Stress

• The intensity of activities should be reduced whenever high heat or humidity reach critical levels.
• If starting an exercise program or traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of outdoor activities should start low and then gradually increase to acclimate to the heat.
• Before outdoor physical activities, children should drink freely and should not feel thirsty.
• Kids should always have water or a sports drink available and take a break to drink every 20 minutes while active in the heat.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat.
• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and there should be more frequent water/hydration breaks.
• Children should promptly move to cooler environments if they feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen can help protect the skin from sunburn and some skin cancers but only if used correctly. Keep in mind that sunscreen should be used for sun protection, not as a reason to stay in the sun longer.

How to Pick Sunscreen

• Use a sunscreen that says “broad-spectrum” on the label; that means it will screen out both UVB and UVA rays.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• For sensitive areas, such as the nose, cheeks, ears, and shoulders, choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

How to Apply Sunscreen

• Use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed areas, especially the face, nose, ears, feet, hands, and even backs of the knees.
• Put sunscreen on 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors (it needs time to absorb into the skin).
• Use sunscreen any time you or your child spend time outdoors. Remember that you can get sunburn even on cloudy days.
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or drying off with a towel.
• Most people use too little sunscreen, make sure to apply a generous amount.

Sunscreen Tips

• • For babies under than 6 months: only use sunscreen on small areas of the body, if protective clothing/shade are not available.
  • For children older than 6 months: apply to all areas of the body.
  • If the sunscreen irritates his/her skin, try a different brand or sunscreen. If a rash develops, talk with your child’s doctor.
  • If your baby is younger than 1 year and gets sunburn, call your baby’s doctor immediately.

See source: HealthyChildren.org and AAP Pediatric Patient Education for more information.