Sunburn ....I mean Summer Memories: Tips for Playing it Safe in the Sun

The Beach

My first 11 summers were spent in south central Texas. Much of that time was spent on the bright, hot, sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, letting the waves crash into me and carry me back to shore again and again. I recall time after time of looking at myself in the mirror after spending a whole day on the beach; red as a lobster with skin as hot as a heater to the touch, yet shivering with chills from the burn.

I'm sure we always slathered sunscreen on when first arriving at the beach, but who knows what SPF it was or the ingredients in that white cream or how often we actually smeared it on after frolicking in the waves for endless hours.

A New Era

It was the 70s and 80s. There were no seatbelt laws or car seat laws. No one wore a bike helmet while riding around the neighborhood, and we certainly weren't concerned about the BPA lining the cans of green beans, pineapple or pop. Clearly, we were living on the edge. We now have a greater awareness of our health and the causes of certain diseases and take more preventative measures to avoid exposure to certain things; including the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Lately, there has been a big push to get our kids {and their parents} outside doing physical activity. In Minnesota, we must use the warm days of summer to our advantage and spend as much time outside as possible. Being outdoors is what summer was made for; swimming, gardening, riding bikes, playing at parks, walking around lakes, playing baseball, etc. So, the challenge becomes trying to be outside in the warm sun without getting too much sun and causing skin damage.

Tips for Lowering Risks of Sun Exposure

According to KidsHealth.com, "Most kids rack up between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18." So, it's important to plan ahead and be prepared when going outdoors.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides this list of fun in the sun safety tips:

• Avoid summer sun exposure from 10 am to 4 pm. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened.
• Wear clothing that covers your child's skin helps protect against UV rays. Although a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best, they aren't always practical. A T-shirt, long shorts, or a beach cover-up are good choices, too—but it's wise to double up on protection by applying sunscreen or keeping your child in the shade when possible.
• Wear hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don't protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.
• Wear sunglasses that protect your child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen