A Southern Moms Search & 10 Tips to Sun Protect for Kids

By: Ashley Crossman 
Blog Fabnewsblog.com 

As you know it's very important to protect young children in the sun. Here are some great tips and ways to protect your little one while having fun with the family. I surfed the web to find the best resources so you can save the time here's every I found: 

First Site is a full study and write up from the U.S Environment Protection Agency and has some great info on smog safety as well. full pdf here: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/summertime.pdf

Top Tips I found ready this study where:
Teach kids to Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap: 
Slip on a shirt. Less skin exposed means less skin damage.
Slop on sunscreen. Twenty minutes before heading outside, 
generously apply products of at least SPF 15, and re-apply 
every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
Slap on a hat. Find a hat you like and wear it.
Wrap on sunglasses. Look for ones that block 99–100% of 
UVA and UVB rays.

 Know the day’s UV Index learn about the index in the pdf linked above. Or visit EPA’s UV Index Web Page
www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html  

If you have a smart phone get the free UVI smartphone app from EPA at http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile/

To find the Air Quality Index visit EPA’s AIRNOW Web Page www.epa.gov/airnow/

Visit EPA’s EnviroFlash Web Page https://enviroflash.epa.gov & Sign up to receive the daily UV Index, Air Quality Index, and occasional UV Alerts directly by e-mail.

10 Tips for Sun Protection.

1. Always wear sunscreen. Apply sunscreen whenever kids will be in the sun.
2. Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Put on sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun.
3. Take frequent breaks from the sun by going indoors or moving into the shade. This is especially important between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon, when the sun's rays are strongest.
4. Don't forget about lips, hands, ears, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck. Lift up bathing suit straps and apply sunscreen underneath them (in case the straps shift as a child moves).
5. Don't try to stretch out a bottle of sunscreen; apply it generously.
6. Reapply sunscreen often, approximately every 2 hours, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Reapply after a child has been sweating or swimming.
7. Apply a waterproof sunscreen if kids will be around water or swimming. Water reflects and intensifies the sun's rays, so kids need protection that lasts. Waterproof sunscreens may last up to 80 minutes in the water, and some are also sweat- and rub-proof. But regardless of the waterproof label, be sure to reapply sunscreen when kids come out of the water.
8. Cover up. 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.
9. Get a hat. 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.
10. Wear sunglasses. They 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.

Sources:http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/summer_safety.html#
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/summertime.pdf
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/sun_safety.html#
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/children.htm