UVA and UVB are known to cause skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer. The best way you can protect your kids from the harmful effects of the sun is to stay covered up in sunny weather. There are other ways as well that you should do to make sure your children are protected from the ultraviolet rays they may be exposed to.
Invest in a retractable awning
One way to protect your children from harmful UV rays is to invest in a retractable awning. A study conducted by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that having an outdoor canopy covering 60 percent or more of living space reduces exposure to UV radiation by 92%. This is a particularly useful structure to add to your home even if you live in fairly temperate regions in the United States, such as New Jersey. Installing a retractable awning in New Jersey or nearby cities and states can benefit not only your kids but the entire family as well. These shading structures help make activities outside of your home safer and more enjoyable for the kids without having to worry about skin damage caused by prolonged sun exposure.
Awnings not only decrease the intensity of UV rays that enter the home but they also provide shade during daylight hours, protecting furniture, carpets, and houseplants from fading. This addition will also help lower air-conditioning costs as well as protect interiors from sun damage such as cracking and fading.
Apply sunscreen regularly
If your kids are like mine, they hate putting on sunscreen. But you should make sure you apply it diligently every time your kids go outside (and even when indoors if there is a lot of reflected UV light). You want your kids to have as much outdoor learning and fun as they can but you also do not want them to suffer from skin problems later on. If your child won’t wear sunscreen, consider wearing it yourself; the more skin-to-sun exposure everyone has, the greater the need for sunscreen. Remember that sand and snow reflect up to 80% of UV rays, so you need to reapply sunscreen or protective clothing even if you’re just sitting in the sand or snow.
Sunscreen with SPF 30+ is recommended by dermatologists for daily use on all children over 6 months old. Those dark spots on your child’s arms are called erythema multiforme – medical speak for sun damage. Speaking of SPF (Sun Protection Factor), it is a measure of how well it protects against sunburn, not cancer or tanning. It doesn’t matter whether you apply the sunscreen thickly or thinly – it has to be applied often and in combination with protective clothing and shade to work the best. To ensure that your child has continuous sun protection, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outside and reapply sunscreen on them every 1-2 hours. You should reapply sunscreen sooner if your child is swimming or sweating from outdoor activities.
Wear UV-protection clothing
Sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, and hats with a wide brim, can prevent UV rays from penetrating your child’s skin. However, you should still apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of your child’s body if they’re going to be in the sun for more than a little while because sun-protective clothing (SPF) blocks mainly UVB radiation and not UVA radiation. To ensure that both types of harmful ultraviolet rays are blocked, wear clothes made from tightly- woven fabric that doesn’t tear easily when it snags on things like barbed wire or tree branches. Colors pale enough not to draw attention in an outdoor setting will provide adequate protection in most cases (although dark colors may sometimes work better for infants with very fair skin). It’s also a good idea to wear gloves and boots.
Goggles
Even if you don’t wear polarized sunglasses, your kids should. Goggles are the most effective way to block UV rays over 99% of UVA and UVB radiation. A reputable brand with an anti-fog coating is best. I know you love me enough to buy me expensive designer glasses or goggles. But make sure they are specifically labeled as “UV protective.” Regular sunglasses offer very little in terms of UV protection, especially when compared to prescription eyewear with proper coatings for total protection.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses with a high ultraviolet light (UVA) protection rating reduce long-term eye damage from the sun’s harmful rays better than cheaper lenses that have only a basic UV coating.
Protect your kid from the sun during peak hours
Children, just like adults, should avoid going out in the sun between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM when ultraviolet light levels are highest. During these times of day make sure that your child’s skin is properly protected with sunscreen with a high SPF rating or by wearing sun-protective clothing or a brimmed hat.
UV rays are strongest when the sun is at its highest point in the sky (which is why they’re most intense around midday), but they can affect your child’s skin all day long – even on overcast days and days that start off cloudy before becoming sunny later on. In fact, UV rays will reflect back from surfaces like sand, snow, and water – which can result in a sunburn even on a typically cool and cloudy day. In general, UV radiation is the highest at the equator, moderate near the Earth’s poles and lowest at the Earth’s middle latitudes. In other words, you’re going to want your child to be more careful about wearing sunscreen during their spring break trip to Mexico City than their stroll through downtown Toronto.
Take cover under the shade
The amount of protection provided by trees can vary depending on species, tree health, and location. Research suggests about 30-50% less UV radiation reaches us when we lounge in the shade. So, move into that tree’s shadow if possible. You can also buy an overhead canopy while laying out or at your campsite for some added privacy while lounging outdoors during the day.
There are plenty of health benefits when you allow your kids to play outside. Just remember to monitor their sun exposure. Remember that harmful UV rays are at their strongest between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm – but they’re still around even when it seems cloudy outside, so always protect your child’s skin with sunscreen whenever they spend any time outdoors.
If you follow these simple tips, your child should be able to stay protected from harmful UV rays!
