Summer is definitely  here , and that means lots of time having 'fun in the sun!' But children,  especially babies, should be protected from over exposure to the sun. Children spend a lot of time outdoors playing and so they get most of their sun exposure in the first 18 years of their life. Here are some tips on how to manage the Sun in your kids fun!

* Always  keep babies younger than 6 months of age out of the sun. Use sunscreen on children older than 6 months.

According to WebMD.com, you should teach children the ABCs of how to protect their skin from getting sunburned.

A = Away. Stay away from the sun in the middle of the day (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon).

B = Block. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to protect babies' and children's very sensitive skin.

C = Cover up. Wear clothing that covers the skin, hats with wide brims, and sunglasses with UV protection. Even children 1 year old should wear sunglasses with UV protection.

S = Speak out. Teach others to protect their skin from sun damage.

But if you can't avoid the sun all the time, then follow these rules of thumb!

Use a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher. Sunscreens that say "broad-spectrum" can protect the skin from ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays.

Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going in the sun.

Apply sunscreen to all the skin that will be exposed to the sun, including the nose, ears, neck, scalp, and lips. Sunscreen needs to be applied evenly over the skin and in the amount recommended on the label. Most sunscreens are not completely effective, because they are not applied correctly.

Being exposed to too much sun can lead to skin cancer, lupus, heat stroke, vision problems and more. Go have fun in the great outdoors, just use some sun sense! Have a happy and safe summer!

 

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