Check out these sun safety tips to keep you safe all summer long.
Fun in the sun is a staple of summertime in Southern California. From beach days to summer camp to days at the pool, kids spend the whole summer outdoors. However, as much fun as the sun can be, it can also be dangerous. Powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays and sweltering temperatures can wreck havoc on the body if you’re not prepared. Enjoy summertime fun safely, and be prepared for the warm sunny weather with these sun safety tips.
- Apply sunscreen before heading outdoors. The sun’s UV rays are harmful to the skin. They damage the skin causing sunburns, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Lather up your kids in sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and labeled as “broad spectrum” coverage.
- Minimize the time you and your kids spend outside during peak hours. The sun is strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. It’s when you’re most likely to get burned.
- Reapply your sunscreen. Running around all day, your kids are likely going to sweat, and pool water can wash off sunscreen. Protect your skin by putting sunscreen on every couple of hours.
- Wear your sunglasses. Encourage your kids at an early age to wear sunglasses with UV protection when outside. It will help to protect their eyes from the damaging sun and reduce any eye health complications later in life.
- Drink plenty of water. When it’s hot outside, your body sweats to stay cool. However, you lose lots of water in your body, and you become dehydrated. Have your kids drink water throughout the day to keep them from getting dehydrated.
Protect your kids from the sun’s damaging effects with these sun safety tips. Contact the Pediatric Surgical Associates for all your pediatric surgical needs. Our Orange County pediatric surgeons are experts at protecting your kids’ health, and wellness!