Windsor Essex County Health Unit
Fun in the Sun: Keeping Your Family Safe
Safe outdoor play and summer family
fun should be encouraged as opportunities
for physical activity. When having fun
outside, however, it is important to protect
our skin and eyes from the harmful effects
of ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
Sun Safety and Your Health
Make sun safety a priority in your
household. UVR can cause permanent
damage to skin leading to skin cancer, as
well as permanent vision loss. UVR can also
cause other forms of skin damage such as
wrinkling and photo aging of the skin.
It is important to keep in mind that
children’s skin is thinner causing them to
be at even greater risk of the harmful effects
from UVR.
Know the UV Index
• The Ultraviolet Index (UV Index) is a
measurement of the intensity of the sun’s
rays; it is a scale from 0 to 10+, indicating
how much UVR will reach the ground
from the sun.
• The higher the UV index, the more harm
done by the sun to your skin and eyes. A
UV Index greater than 3 requires
protection to prevent skin and eye damage.
• Be sure to check Windsor’s current
weather and UV index daily.
Tips for Keeping Your Kids Sun Safe
• When the UV index is 3 or higher, plan
your outdoor play to avoid sun exposure
between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
when the sun’s rays are the strongest (even
on cloudy days).
• When children (greater than 6 months old)
are outside, make sure they wear:
Another
consideration for sun
safety is
hydration;
click to read
information
on
hydration.
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A hat with a wide brim (7.5 cm or 3
inches wide) that goes all around the
head.
Loose, lightweight clothing that covers
as much skin as possible.
Sunglasses with broad spectrum
protection. The lenses should be
labeled “100 per cent UV protection” or
“UV 400”.
Sunscreen SPF of 30 or higher, that is
certified by the Canadian Dermatology
Association (CDA) applied 20 to 30
minutes before going outside. Make
sure your child has sunscreen on any
exposed skin – don’t forget their ears,
nose, neck and tops of the feet! Pack the
sunscreen as you will need to reapply
the sunscreen every two hours, after
swimming, and if the child is sweating
a lot.
Lip balm with SPF 30 or higher.
Reapply it every two hours or sooner if
your child eats or drinks, or licks their
lips a lot.
Learn more about sun safety
from the following great
resources:
Health Canada
Cancer Care Ontario,
The Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian Dermatology
Association
The Melanoma Network of
Canada
The Canadian Pediatric Society
Teach your child that looking at their
shadow can help them decide when they
should play in the shade. When their
shadow is shorter than they are, it means
the sun is very strong and they should find a
shady place to play. Remember that UVR
reflected from the ground, sand, and water
is also harmful.
Finally, lead by example; teach children
that sun safety is important, and make sun
safety a new family rule like in this YouTube
Video #newfamilyrule
Why Family Sun Safety Is Important
Our skin is like an elephant, it never
forgets! Any damage to the skin will remain
long after the tan has faded or the burn has
healed. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from
the sun and UVR – emitting devices such as
tanning beds, cause skin cancer and other
forms of skin damage as well as harm to the
eyes. Remember, there is no such thing as a
safe tan. A tan represents skin damage and
should be avoided.
Visit www.wechu.org to find more information about sun safety
and other health concerns
6 The HUB -August 2016