SUN SAFETYHealthy Start in Child Care

Janet Blair

Kentucky River District Health Department

ARE YOU USING SUNSCREEN CORRECTLY?

How should sunscreens be applied? How much should be applied? When should I apply sunscreen? How often should sunscreen be

applied? What Is SPF? What strength of sunscreen is best?

ARE YOU USING SUNSCREEN CORRECTLY?How should sunscreens be applied? Follow directions and shake the bottle

before using. Thoroughly rub sunscreen over skin to

make sure the coverage is even. Make sure all skin is covered (including

neck, ears and lips). For people with thin or thinning hair,

apply sunscreen to the scalp as well.

USING SUNSCREEN CORRECTLY…

How much should be applied? Sunscreen should be applied liberally

and evenly to all exposed areas before sun or water exposure.

When should I apply sunscreen? Before doing any outside activities. Whenever you're spending time

outdoors—and not just in the pool! (for picnics, walks, hiking, riding in a car, etc)

USING SUNSCREEN CORRECTLY CONT…How often should sunscreen be applied? Reapply sunscreen after swimming,

perspiring, and toweling off. Reapply sunscreen often! What strength of sunscreen is best? Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or

higher whenever you're outdoors. For children under 6 years of age, the SSA

recommends sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. Older children should use sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher.

SUN-SAFE ACTIONS IN EARLY CHILD CARE Schedule children’s outdoor playtime to avoid sun

exposure during the peak UV hours of 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (4:00 during summer months) Remember, the UV rays are present, even on cloudy days.

Pay attention to the UV and Heat Indexes for your area. During high UV or heat days, be especially sun-safe or consider alternate indoor activity so children can stay cool while playing and exercising. You may also pay attention to pollen counts and air quality index (urban areas).

Provide plenty of shade on playgrounds. Plant trees or use large summer umbrellas, awnings, or sun tents around your play area. Play games with children in the shadow of your building.

SUN SAFE ACTION CONT….

Avoid direct sun exposure for infants. Encourage parents to dress children in cool,

lightweight clothing, Loose-fitting shirts with sleeves, and capris or long pants provide more sun protection than tank tops and shorts.

Make sure every child has a hat with a wide brim that shades the ears and neck. Let each child decorate a big floppy hat that he or she can wear each day.

SUN SAFE ACTION CONT…

Provide each child with sunglasses labeled “100% UV protection.” Polycarbonate or impact-resistant lenses are safest. Teach children to wear sunglasses when they are outdoors, and to store their sunglasses properly after playtime.

Children have tender skin and can easily become sunburned. It is recommended that you apply sunscreen labeled SPF 30 to all areas of exposed skin. Follow the directions on the sunscreen, and apply liberally and reapply every two hours. Remember, check your state and local guidelines about sunscreen use in childcare.

SUN SAFE ACTION CONT…

Encourage children to drink plenty of water.

Be a role model! These recommendations apply to both children and adults! Remember, sun safety is important every day, even on cloudy days. And practice sun safety all year long; during the winter, the UV rays can be even more intense as they reflect off snow. Make sun safety a part of your daily activities.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE ONE?

Keep baby in the shade ...under a tree, umbrella, or the canopy of a stroller. Dress baby in body-covering, lightweight clothing. Protect arms and legs, and use a wide-brimmed hat.If necessary:Apply sunscreen to small areas of a baby's skin, such as the face and back of the hands

The best sunscreen is a chemical-free "sunblock." Look for the minerals zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient (zinc oxide is my personal preference). A mineral based, chemical-free sunscreen is less likely to cause a reaction on baby's skin.

SKIN TYPE FACTORS

Although everyone is at risk from too much UV exposure, some people with certain skin types may have a higher risk factor.

SKIN TYPE

History of Sun burning or Tanning :

I - Always burns easily, never tans II - Burns easily, tans minimally III - Burns moderately, tans gradually to light brown IV - Burns minimally, always tans well to moderately brown V - Rarely burns, tans profusely to dark brown VI - Never burns, deeply pigmented

THE DANGERS OF UV EXPOSURE

You can sunburn even on a cloudy day.

On average, children get 3 times more exposure than adults.

Concrete, sand, water, and snow reflect 85% to 90% of the sun's UV rays.

Depletion of Earth's ozone continues to increase your exposure to UV rays.

SKIN CANCER

In some parts of the world, melanoma is increasing at rates faster than any other cancer.

More than 1.2 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the US.

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, kills one person every hour.

One blistering sunburn can double a child's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.

ABC’S OF SUN SAFETY

A - Stay Away from the midday sun - especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - when the sun's rays are the strongest.

B - To Block the sun apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 about 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours and after swimming and sweating. Apply sunscreen beginning at 6 months of age.

C - Cover up with a wide-brim hat or visor, tightly woven clothing and sunglasses when outdoors.

S - Shade - Keep infants under 6 months of age out of direct sunlight and in the shade. Use an umbrella over the stroller.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE….

True or False?

You can get sunburned on a cloudy day.

TRUE OR FALSE?

Even on a cloudy day, many of the sun’s rays can still reach the Earth’s surface.

TRUETRUE

You can get sunburned on a cloudy day.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE….

True or False?You only need to wear sunscreen when you are at the beach.

TRUE OR FALSE?

You only need to wear sunscreen when you are at the beach.

You do not have to be sunbathing to get a damaging dose of the sun. Everyday exposure to the sun without sunscreen can damage your skin.

FALSEFALSE

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE…

True or False?

Sunscreen with a SPF of LESS than 15 is enough to protect my skin.

SPF 8

Sunscreen

TRUE OR FALSE?

Use Sunscreen with SPF 15 or Higher. Remember to put on enough sunscreen to protect your skin.

FALSEFALSE

Sunscreen with a SPF of LESS than 15 is enough to protect my skin.

SPF 15

Sunscreen

Bottled Water

SUN SUPPLIES…….

Sun Hat & Sun Glasses

Sun Screen

UmbrellaForShade

Apply Sunscreen

Lip Balm w/Sunscreen

LET’S PROTECT OUR KIDS….

RESOURCES……..

www.sunsafetyforkids.org www.sunsafetyalliance.org www.fda.gov/consumer

RESOURCES……..

www.sunsafetyforkids.org www.sunsafetyalliance.org www.fda.gov/consumer

RESOURCES……..

www.sunsafetyforkids.org www.sunsafetyalliance.org www.fda.gov/consumer