Skin Protection Ideas for Home, School and On the Go!
Home Ideas
Do You...
Have a lot of shadeless areas around your yard? Play area? Pool? Basketball or tennis court?
Solution...
Plant trees, use large summer umbrellas, awnings, or sun tents around your yard.
Do You...
Get a lot of sun in your child's room—or playroom?
Solution...
Consider putting canopies over the windows or some other type of appropriate "shading screen."
Do You...
Like to ski? Ice skate? Or snowboard?
Solution...
Remember:
Concrete, sand, water, and snow reflect 85% to 90% of the UV rays. If
shading play areas like these are impossible, at least practice being
extra sun safe with sunscreen and protective clothing!
Do Your...
Kids typically wear shorts and short sleeves outdoors—or go shirtless?
Solution...
Long-sleeved
shirts and pants are ideal for protecting skin. Some companies also now
offer "sun-safe" clothing that is light, durable, and ventilated.
Do Your...
Kids play outside between 10 am and 4 pm?
Solution...
Generally
10 am to 4 pm is when the sun's rays are strongest. Be especially sun
safe or consider alternate indoor activity during bad UV days.
Do You...
Talk to your child about practicing "sun safety?"
Solution...
This
is not a silly idea! Just as you remind your child to "buckle up" in
the car, talk to your child often about sun protection.
Do You...
Swim? Rollerblade? Or go biking?
Solution...
Remember:
Concrete, sand, water, and snow reflect 85% to 90% of the UV rays. If
shading play areas like these are impossible, at least practice being
extra sun safe with sunscreen and protective clothing!
Do You...
Always set a good sun-safety example for your children?
Solution...
Always set a good example by wearing a hat, "cover-up" clothing, sunglasses, and using sunscreen when outdoors.
School Ideas
Do You...
Think your school isn't doing enough to practice "sun safety?"
Solution...
Ask
the PTA and school administration to establish a permanent sun-safety
program—and to plant trees around the playground and athletic
fields/courts, etc.
Does Your...
Child's school have uniforms that are not sun safe?
Solution...
Many sports uniforms have shorts or short sleeves. Encourage your kid to use sunscreen on exposed skin that's not covered.
Does Your...
Child have a long bus ride every day? Or is maybe going on a field trip?
Solution...
Make sure he or she is covered with sun-safe clothing and sunscreen here too!
Away from Home Ideas
Does Your...
Child play outdoor sports or get "sweaty" running around—or go shirtless?
Solution...
Encourage
your child to have an adult reapply their sunscreen after perspiring,
swimming, or after playing vigorously—and always after toweling off!
Do You...
Play soccer? Basketball? Or just like playing in the driveway?
Solution...
Remember:
Concrete, sand, water, and snow reflect 85% to 90% of the UV rays. If
shading play areas like these are impossible, at least practice being
extra sun safe with sunscreen and protective clothing!
Do You...
Ever forget to take along sunscreen?
Solution...
Keep
extra sunscreen in places where you know your child will need it! (For
example, in your car, a gym bag, with ski equipment, etc)
Does Your...
Child burn around the neck or ears?
Solution...
Wide-brimmed
hats are better than caps. Caps don't cover ears or the neck. Encourage
your child to wear wide-brimmed hats that offer complete coverage.
Do You...
Know the best time to apply sunscreen?
Solution...
Apply
sunscreen before doing any outside activities. It's not just for
swimming! Use sunscreen for picnics, walks, hiking, riding in a car,
etc)
Do You...
Live or vacation in a mountainous area?
Solution...
Remember to be sun safe year-round, especially at higher altitudes where UV is stronger.
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