Appropriate age group:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Description:
In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer sun produces its strongest ultraviolet rays. One needs to take extra precautions when going outdoors. Make sure that you and your family use a sunscreen that has a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15, even if it is a cloudy or overcast day. You need to use sunscreen as part of your daily routine, e.g. in the winter you grab your hat and scarf to protect you from the cold, in the summer your protection is a good sunscreen. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside. Reapply every two hours, sooner if your child gets wet or is sweating. Children get up to 80% of their sun intake by the time they are 18 years old. Studies have shown a direct link between melanoma and severe sunburns received as a child. What one considers a ?tan? is actually sun-damaged skin. The body naturally fights off the sun? UV rays with melanin, the lighter the skin, the less melanin (very susceptible to burning), the darker the skin, the more melanin (easier for skin to tan). Sunscreen acts as a protective agent for sensitive skin. Look for a product containing titanium dioxide, which means it is chemical free. You need to make sure that your family is protecting their eyes as well, even your youngest child should wear 100% UVA and UVB protection eyewear. Keep your family in natural fibers and sun protected clothing. Check your child? clothing by placing your hand inside a garment; only put your child in clothes that you can? see your hand through. Keep newborns out of the sun as their bodies are extra sensitive to UV rays; have them under an umbrella, wearing a hat and keeping cool by staying in the shade at all times. Keep in mind that the strongest sun is between the hours of 10 AM- 3PM; plan your outdoor activities so that you and your family are not in the sun for that entire time. Every household should have an aloe plant for burns. If your child does get sunburned, cut off a leaf of an aloe plant, slice down the middle and open by flattening the sides. The inside is a sticky gel that you apply directly to the skin. The aloe takes the ?heat? from the burn, soothing the body and also in many cases protecting the skin from peeling. Lavender and tea tree oil are also good agents to apply on sunburns. You can find each product in your local health food store. Consult your doctor to make sure that your family is not allergic to these products before using. If your child receives a serious burn with blistering, chills or pain call your doctor immediately.