In the summer, we know it’s important to wear sunscreen and make sure we adhere to sun safety tips. But are you doing things the right way or as much as you should? The following are some easy sun safety tips for the entire family to live by. They will suit all your needs and are simple to follow.
Know your sunscreen. SPF 30 is better than SPF 15, right? Not necessarily. Any sunscreen you use should provide protection against UVA and UVB rays. If it doesn’t, it isn’t that effective. Also, if you don’t use the sunscreen correctly, it won’t help. You can use an SPF 30 and apply it correctly, thick enough, and all over and it will give you more protection from the sun that an SPF 50 sunscreen. Also, sunscreen that washes off from swimming or sweating isn’t going to help, so you need to reapply often.
Plan accordingly. Take sunscreen along. Make sure you have clothing that covers your skin adequately. Bring along sunglasses and hats, and always have a place to sit in the shade, even if that means bringing along an umbrella.
Stay hydrated. When you are planning an outing in the sun, make sure you have enough fresh, cold water for the entire family. Infants not included, everyone should have at least one bottle of water that is all their own if you are going to be in the sun. Do not hydrate with sodas, juice, or even sports drinks. All of these contain high amounts of sodium that can actually make you more dehydrated.
Take frequent breaks. Heat exhaustion is real and can lead to serious problems, even death. So make sure you and your kids take frequent breaks while in the sun. Let them play for 30 minutes, then rest for 10. They may not enjoy the interruption, but it will keep them safe while playing in the sun.
Explain sun safety. The safest family is the one that understands what you need to do to stay safe in the sun and why. Explain it to everyone and they can follow the rules so that everyone is prepared for time in the sun.
Wear shoes. Even on the beach, the sand can get hot, so be sure to always wear shoes so that your feet don’t burn.
