Kids and adults are at greater risk for sunburns during the summer months. Besides being painful, sunburns can lead to skin cancer down the road.
Only 58% of adults practice proper sun safety procedures, such as applying sunscreen and seeking shade. Teaching sun safety to kids can help them have better behaviors as adults.
In addition to applying sunscreen and being aware of time spent in the sun, keep the following tips in mind:
- Wear a sun hat whenever possible to protect your face from harmful rays.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UV-A and UV-B radiation from the sun. It should have an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Apply the sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply it often. Always reapply the sunscreen after swimming or any physical activity.
- Bring a shade enclosure or large umbrella if you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun.
- Use caution even on cloudy days since you can still get a sunburn when you can’t see the sun.
- Protect your eyes too. Never look directly at the sun and wear sunglasses to block some of the UV rays.
Knowing you are doing everything you need to do to ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones gives you peace of mind so you can relax and have fun.