Safe Sun Tips
- Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater 20-30 minutes before sun exposure and then every few hours thereafter. The higher the number, the better. This will provide a broad spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) as well as ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
- If you are swimming or exercising you should choose a water-resistant sunscreen, and reapply it more often than normal.
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Tightly-woven fabrics offer the best protection from the sun — as a general rule, the less light that passes through the fabric when held up to the sun, the better the protection. Covering your arms, trunk and legs is just as important as covering your face and neck.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats, they not only protect your face from the sun but your head too.
- Take breaks from the immediate sun and seek shade when possible. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM and if you are near the sun, water or sand, this will greatly increase your chances of getting sunburned.
- Wear sunglasses with total UV protection.
- Do not expose babies under 6 months of age to direct sunlight as their skin is very sensitive and easily damaged.
- Take extra steps to ensure your children are protected from the sun, as their skin is very susceptible to damage.
- Make sure that you apply sunscreen on cloudy days, as you can still get sunburned even though you can’t see the sun.