Dundee School Nurse
Children enjoy playing outdoors, exploring nature, and feeling the sun’s warmth. It also helps produce Vitamin D.
But too much sun can be dangerous. To help protect children, help them develop sun safe habits early in life.
• Limit time in the midday sun, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Seek shade whenever possible. If you can’t see your shadow, get out of the sun! Beware of cloudy days; 80% of the sun’s rays penetrate clouds.
• Always Use Sunscreen. Apply a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher wherever your skin is showing. Reapply every 2 hours when working or playing outdoors. Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when sweating, toweling off, or if you are in the water for extended periods of time. Don’t use sunscreen on infants under 6 months of age.
• Wear a hat. Use one with a 3 inch brim that covers the face, ears, and back of neck. Baseball caps aren’t sun safe.
• Cover up. Wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting, and full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from UV rays.
• Wear sunglasses that block 99-100% of UV Radiation.
Parents, be good role models. Modeling healthy sun behavior is the best way to develop sun safe behaviors in your children.
Enjoy the summer -- safely in the sun!