Spring break is just around the corner for kids in OC – a great time for families to enjoy the outdoors! To keep your family safe in the sun, check out these tips from Dr. Leonard Sender, medical director of the CHOC Cancer Institute.
- Wear sunscreen. Choose one with a SPF of at least 30. Apply about 30 minutes before exposure and reapply often.
- Avoid the sun during peak hours. Try to limit your time in the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most sun damage occurs during day-to-day activities.
- Cover up. Have your child wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing. Stay in the shade whenever you can.
- Keep your baby out of the sun. Because infants have thinner skin and underdeveloped melanin, their skin burns more easily. Keep them out of the sun whenever possible.
- No tanning oils or tanning beds! Tanning increases the risk of melanoma and accelerates skin aging. Talk to your kids about the effects of tanning.
- Stay cool. A long day in the sun can make your child feel drained or irritable. In extreme cases, it can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Make sure your family drinks plenty of water throughout the day.
- Sun safety starts with you. Teach your kids the steps to reducing sun exposure. If learned early on, these precautions can stick with your children for a lifetime.
