Sun Smart Tips To Keep In Mind This Summer

Summertime means fun in the great outdoors.

The weather cooperates and days stretch for miles. It’s the best time of year — but the season does have its hazards.

High temperatures and too much sun can result in burns and worse.

How can you protect yourself to stay safe and make the most of the warm season? Here are five sun smart tips to keep in mind this summer.

Table of Contents

1. Seek Play Spaces With Shade

Protecting your skin from the sun begins at the earliest ages. Did you know that a baby’s skin isn’t fully developed until six months of age?

Additionally, young children’s skin is thinner than older children’s, making them more sensitive to the sun.

Please don’t think that a burn at this age is no big deal. Any sun damage in childhood increases your little one’s risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

Therefore, seek play areas with plenty of shade to protect your child’s skin from the sun. It will also keep them more comfortable and prevent injury.

According to research, even plastic slides can become too hot to touch in temperatures as low as 74° Fahrenheit ,and metal versions can cause burns.

Adequate shade cover protects playground equipment from getting too hot to touch.

Time your playtime right, too. The coolest hours occur just after dawn, so hit the park in the morning if at all possible.

Most experts recommend avoiding the midday sun between the hours of 11 a.m to 3 p.m., as temperatures are also likely to be at their hottest.

If you can’t sneak in a morning outing, wait until just before sunset.

2. Carry Plenty of Water

Hydration is critical for you and your child. Summer sun and temperatures increase perspiration, making you thirsty sooner.

By the time your tongue feels dry, your levels are already running low.

Your best bet is to carry a reusable water bottle and get your kids in the habit from the earliest ages.

Make it fun for them, letting them pick out one in a festive color and decorate it with stickers.

You might want to set an app reminder on your phone to remind you — and your child — to take a few sips even when you aren’t playing outdoors.

Water is essential when you head out to play, hike or attend a barbecue. Experts recommend drinking seven to ten ounces for every 20 minutes of physical activity.

However, remember that you and your kids might need more or less, depending on your physical size, exertion level and salt intake.

3. Protect Your Skin

Before you head outside, please lather yourself and your child with sunscreen. The type you choose matters.

If you opt for a chemical formulation, apply it at least 30 minutes before heading outdoors, as it takes this long to absorb into your skin fully.

Mineral sunscreens offer instant protection, and many moms feel less sketchy about not using chemicals on their child’s skin. However, some acne-prone folks complain these formulations clog their pores.

Furthermore, beware of insect pests.

Ticks can carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, diseases that can cause ongoing disability. Likewise, mosquitoes can carry germs like the Zika virus.

Use an insect repellent spray containing DEET before heading out and wear long socks — especially if hiking through tall grass.

Examine your child’s skin when they come in from outdoors and immediately remove any ticks with fine-nosed tweezers.

Heat-related illnesses can be deadly. Learn the signs of each and how to take immediate action to prevent tragedy.

Heat rash: This itchy rash occurs from sweat trapped in glands. It should clear up in a few days without treatment.
Heat cramps: These occur when your body loses too many electrolytes through sweat. Rest and rehydrate in the shade.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion requires immediate intervention to prevent progressing to deadly stroke. Signs include heavy sweating and thirst, shallow breathing, a weak pulse, irritability, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, and pale, cool skin. Get the affected person into the shade, wetting their clothing to facilitate cooling. You might use a fan to help cool their temperature. Gently rehydrate with cool (not cold) water.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke can kill by causing organ failure. Symptoms include red hot skin that doesn’t sweat, a temperature of 105° Fahrenheit, dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness, nausea, muscle twitching and seizures. Call 911 immediately.

5. Teach Your Children to Swim

Each year, nearly 900 children drown in the U.S. Drownings can happen in as little as a foot of water.

However, such incidents often involve backyard swimming pools, and you can’t supervise your child every minute, especially as they get older and gain independence.

Sign them up for age-appropriate swim lessons — you can start training them as early as six months.

The earlier you introduce them to the water, the less likely they’ll develop a phobia that could make learning to swim more challenging.