Sun Safety Tips For Kids

Protect Your Children from Sun Damage with These Handy Sun Safety Tips (by Age)

 

sun safety tips for babiesChildren are more vulnerable to sun damage. And here’s a not-so-fun sun safety tip for kids:-

A few blistering sunburns in childhood can double your child’s lifetime chances of developing skin cancer.

That’s pretty startling, isn’t it?

But before you go rushing off to grab the sunscreen, just take a moment.

Most sunscreens contain a variety of toxic chemicals. Most (not all) sunscreens can be harmful for adults – but even more so for growing children.

As you can guess, I’m NOT a fan of sunscreen. A hat and a long-sleeved shirt made from cool cotton is very effective – and it’s what your ancestors used.

Here are some useful tips – divided by age.

Sun Safety Tips – for Infants

Infants under 6 months should be kept out of direct sun – their skin is not yet protected by melanin. So when you take your baby outside:

  • Make shade – Use the stroller’s canopy or hood. If you can’t sit in a shady spot, put up an umbrella.
  • Avoid midday sun – Take walks in the early morning or late afternoon.

Sun Safety Tips – for Toddlers and Children

Young children’s skin is especially sensitive to chemical allergens as well as the sun’s UV rays.

Always use clothing as a sunscreen rather than sunscreen products.

sun safety tips for kids

If you do need to use a sunscreen product,

  • Test the sunscreen by applying a small amount on the inside of your child’s wrist the day before you plan to use it. If an irritation or rash develops, try another product.
  • Re-apply sunscreen often, especially if your child is playing in the water or sweating a lot.
  • If you wish, choose your own sunscreen for daycare and school. Some childcare facilities provide sunscreen for the kids, but you can bring your own if you prefer a brand with safer, less toxic ingredients.

Teenagers want a tan!

Teenagers coveting bronzed skin are likely to sunbathe, patronize tanning salons or buy self-tanning products. Not good ideas. There has been an increase in melanoma incidence among women born after 1965.   Researchers believe increasing UV exposure is to blame – tanning salons expose the skin to as much as 15 times the UV radiation of the sun    Some chemicals in self-tanning products have not been tested for safety – for example, the major self-tanning chemical dihydroxyacetone, is not approved by FDA for use in cosmetics around the eyes.

Tan does NOT mean healthy. Some more tips for teens:

  • Find sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses that they like to wear.
  • To parents of teens: Be good role models – let your teen see you protecting yourself from the sun – with clothing, by going indoors after time in the sun to avoid burning, and by using sunscreen as part (but not all) of your sun protection strategy.

Remember, you and your children need vitamin D – don’t block the sun altogether!

Please spread the word and keep everyone safe – sharing buttons below – thank you!

More Tips:

Are you getting enough?        Sunscreen / sunblock – what’s it all about?        Is sunscreen safe?          What about natural sunscreens?       Which is the best sunscreen?


Tags

eco-friendly sun protection, protect infants, protect kids, protect teenagers, sunscreen


  • Protecting the kids is a very important thing that can easily be forgotten in times of fun! If you don’t watch out for them, they can get some really nasty sunburns!

  • I remember being taught that in the 1800’s a tan was considered unattractive because it meant you worked outside. Perhaps sunscreen will bring the trend back. Or maybe all those hip Vampire and Harry Potter movies. It’s so important to protect infants and kids as they surely won’t do it themselves.

  • Protecting kids from the nasty effects of to much sun is quite a task, especially if you live in a fairly hot part of the world and have access to a swimming pool. Kids want to play and keeping them protected in these conditions (constantly in and out of water) is particularly difficult especially as parents also want to relax. Stay vigilant and keep bucket loads of sunscreen for these conditions.

  • I passed 5 tanning parlors today and never really thought about the future issues that could happen. Thanks for sharing.
    Scott Sylvan Bell

  • Excellent strategies for keeping children and teens healthy and pacticing good habits when it comes to solar radiation exposure.

  • […] Infants need to be protected from the sun, but as they grow, children need to spend time in the sun – otherwise they (like us) become deficient in vitamin D.  This is now a very common problem.  Like adults, kids shouldn’t burn, but don’t automatically slather on the sunscreen – many products contain harmful ingredients.  This article has some safety tips for kids […]

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