Safe Sun Action Plan for Heat and UV Exposure Prevention in Children

2. CLIMATE CHANGE is a significant and emerging threat to public health,
and changes the way we must look at protecting vulnerable populations
like children.
Source: World Health Organization,
2003

3. THE SUN - BENEFITS
The Sun lights our world, heats our planet, controls our weather, gives Earth energy, and
the Sun’s gravity prevents Earth from drifting off into space. The Sun is necessary for life
on earth, it helps plants grow, provides warmth and light, feeds our bodies energy to
synthesize minerals, and helps to prevent some diseases.
Source: Wikipedia.com, 2013

4. HARMFUL EFFECT of SUN
•
The sun produces light and
warmth but also can cause
increased heat and UV
radiation exposure.
•
UVA, UVB & UVC rays
cannot be seen or felt until
the body shows signs and
symptoms.
•
These harmful effects are:
increase in temperature,
heat exhaustion or stroke,
skin color changes from
sun tan or burns, damage in
the eyes (cataracts), sun
exacerbated diseases, and
skin cancer.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2013

5. UV RADIATION LEVELS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING, THE
EFFECT IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
•
Time of Day
•
Time of Year
•
Geographic Location
•
Altitude
•
Weather
•
Reflection
•
Ozone Layer
•
Current illness or medications
can cause UV sensitivity
Source: The World Health Organization, 2003.

6. ALWAYS APPLY & REAPPLY SUNSCREEN WHEN OUTDOORS

7. SUN PROTECTION STRATEGIES
•
Global Solar UV Index:
identifies the level of solar
UV radiation at the Earth’s
Surface and can be used
daily as a guide for
protection.
•
Avoid long exposure to sun
mid-day.
•
Apply & reapply sunscreen
that is broad spectrum; UVA,
UVB & UVC.
•
Wear Protective clothing.
•
Wear a large brimmed hat.
•
Seek Shade.
•
Wear UV eyewear protection.
Source: The World Health Organization, 2003.

9. UV Radiation Exposure
•
The most dangerous effect from UV
radiation exposure is skin cancer.
•
cancerous growths develop when
UV radiation alters the DNA of skin
cells damage to skin cells,
triggering mutations (genetic
defects) that lead the skin cells to
multiply rapidly and form malignant
tumors.
•
Melanomas often resemble moles;
some develop from moles.
•
Estimated new cases and deaths
from melanoma in the United
States in 2013: New cases: 76,690
Deaths: 9,480
Source: The National Cancer Institute, 2013.

10. GET YOUR SKIN
CHECKED ANNUALLY
.

11. KNOW WHAT
CANCEROUS MOLES,
LESIONS, AND MARKS
LOOK LIKE…
Source: National Cancer Institute, 2013

12. HEAT EXPOSURE
• From 1999 to 2010, a total of
7,415 deaths in the United
States, an average of 618 per
year, were associated with
exposure to excessive natural
heat.
• Children are metabolically and
physiologically different from
adults. Their bodies don’t selfregulate, and core temperatures
can rise 3-5 times faster than an
adult.
• Children dehydrate easily and
may not be able to convey their
thirst or understand their need to
hydrate when playing outdoors.
• Child athletes are at risk of
exertional heat stroke because
of the physical demand on the
Source: Thebody. for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012
Centers

13. RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS &
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE










Sweating
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea
Loss of coordination
Confusion
Dry mouth
No saliva or tears
Fast pulse
Dilated pupils

14. HEAT STROKE PREVENTION STRATEGIES
 Hydrate: Drink 8 ounces every
30 minutes.
 Wear loose, lightweight
clothing.
 Gradually adjust to
exercise/play in the heat: start
walking, then build as
tolerated.
 Take rest periods.
 Parents, caregivers, teachers
& coaches should monitor
children regularly and know
how to mange exposure.

15. HEAT STROKE MANAGEMENT
• Act fast. Call 911
• Move to a cooler location.
• Rest lying down with feet
elevated.
• If conscious have the
child drink as much water
as possible.
• Loosen and/or remove
clothing.
• Massage arms and legs.
• Wet body with cool
compresses.
• If child vomits roll head to
side.

16. GET ANNUAL EYE EXAMS

17. Protect Your Eyes from UV Damage
Worldwide approximately 18 million people are
blind as a result of cataracts, of these 5% of all
cataract related disease burden is directly
attributable to UV radiation exposure.
•
Acute effects of UV radiation include
photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis These
effects are reversible, easily prevented by
protective eyewear and are not associated with
any long-term damage.
•
Chronic effects of UV radiation include:
Cataract: an eye disease where the lens
becomes increasingly opaque, resulting in
impaired vision and eventual blindness;
Pterygium: a white or creamy fleshy growth on
the surface of the eye;
Prevention Strategies
•
Annual eye exams should start early in
childhood.
•
Wear Sunglasses that provide both UVA &
UVB Protection; UVB damage is cumulative
over time and the damage can be prevented.
Source: The World Health Organization, 201

18. Wear Eye Protection

19. PREVENTION IN YOUTH MAKES
FOR A HEALTHY LONG LIFE
• Wear Broad Spectrum
Sunscreen Year round.
• Shade your eyes with UV
protective eyewear.
• Wear lightweight protective
clothing.
• Use the UV Index as a guide
• Don’t ignore moles and
freckles.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat healthy foods rich in
antioxidants and vitamin C.
Source: Kidshealth.org., 2012

21. FURTHER INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. (2012). Retrieved from:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp
Environmental Protection Agency website. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
Kidshealth.org website. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/sun_safety.html
National Cancer Institute website. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma
Wikipedia.com website. (2013). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun
World Health Organization. (2003). Retrieved from:
www.who.int/uv/publications/en/primaryteach.pdf