This document discusses sun safety and protection for children. It recommends applying sunscreen that offers UV protection to children before outdoor activities, reapplying every two hours. Children should be covered up with clothing and hats when in the sun, and infants under 6 months should be kept in the shade whenever possible. Being a good role model by practicing sun safety yourself can help teach children the importance of protecting their skin from overexposure to the sun.

2. Fun Facts About
The Sun and Exposure
• Top Source of Vitamin D
• Repeated unprotected exposure to the sun’s UV rays can
cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system issues,
and skin cancer
• Most kids get much of their sun exposure before age 18
• Taking precautions can greatly reduce the risk of skin
cancer

3. How to Protect Children
During Sun Exposure
• Cover them up in clothing that is not translucent.
• The best protector for babies under the age of 6
months is shade, they should be kept out of the sun
whenever possible.
• Make sure children are wearing sunscreen

4. Importance
• In a classroom, it is important to have children wear
sunscreen during outdoor activities to protect them from
the sun
For best results, apply 15 to 30 minutes before children
go outside.

5. What Kind of Sunscreen
should be worn?
• It doesn’t matter what kind of sunscreen you use for
children, such as water resistant, lotion, or spray.
• What matters most is the degree of protection it
provides from UV rays.

6. Things To Remember
When Applying
• It is important to apply it correctly:
• Don’t forget about ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and
behind the neck.
• Reapply Often.
• About every two hours

8. Remember:
• Sunscreen sprays are convenient but should be used
with caution
• Sprays make make it hard to tell if you have applied
enough sunscreen
This increases the risk of sunburn
• Often, kids are unaware that they are developing a
sunburn on cooler or windy days because the
temperature or breeze keeps skin feeling cool on the
surface

9. The ABC’S of
Sun Protection
http://youtu.be/cXbh1sz85-E

10. Risk Factors
• Unprotected sun exposure is even more dangerous
for people with:
• Moles on the skin (or whose parents have a tendency
to develop moles)
• Very fair skin and hair
• A family history of skin cancer, including melanoma

11. Be Sun Safe Yourself
• It is important to be a good role model by:
• using sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater
• Wearing sunglasses
• Limiting time in the sun
• Not only does this decrease your risk of
overexposure to the sun, but it teaches children to
realize the importance of sun safety.

12. Reference
Gupta, R.C. (2014). Sun safety. Facts about sun
exposure. Retrieved from kidshealth.org