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Sun Facts for Your Family's Protection

EVERYONE LOVES SUNNY DAYS BUT…

Here’s what you need to know about making sure your loved ones (and you too!) are safe from the harmful rays of the sun.

FACTS ABOUT SUN EXPOSURE

FACT: Unprotected exposure to the sun in the first 15 years of life more than doubles the chances of getting skin cancer as an adult.

FACT: Nearly 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18.

FACT: 90% of all skin cancers can be attributed to UV ray damage to skin cells.

FACT: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the USA today.

FACT: UV rays cannot be felt and are present whether or not it is hot outside.

FACT: It takes less than 11 minutes for the sun to irreparably damage your skin.

FACT: The ear, nose, lip and eye areas are very susceptible to skin cancer.

FACT: A sun tan is a sign that the skin is already damaged. A sun tan does not protect the skin from further sun damage.

FACT: Sun tans and sun burns increase your risk of skin cancer.

FACT: UV is transmitted every day, even in winter. It takes longer to burn during the winter months, but sun damage occurs even on cloudy days.

FACT: Beware of UV rays reflected off of sand, water, snow, concrete or any light surface.

FACT: Babies do not require direct exposure to the sun; they receive enough vitamin "D" to help aid the growth of bones and calcium from indirect sunlight.

FACT: Babies are very sensitive to the sun's UV rays.

SUN SAFETY TIPS

If you and your family enjoy the outdoors, the best protection from the sun's rays is to use all of the following: hats, sunglasses, sun block,  50+ UPF rated clothing.

Babies should be completely shaded from the sun at all times during the first six months of life or until your pediatrician indicates it is safe for them to wear sun block.

Keep baby protected during peak UV times when the sun is at its highest and strongest: between 10am- 4pm.

Start teaching your children sun safe habits from an early age. Always require them to wear hats, sunglasses and a 50+ UPF rated shirt when swimming. Apply sun block each morning. Sun blocks take up to 20 minutes to become active on the skin.

The most important tip for parents is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE!

Review all sun safe shade and apparel product information carefully. Beware of products that offer more than one shade factor - i.e., part of the product is 70% another part is 90% or the shade provides "up to" 90% protection. Some shades only provide protection in certain positions. Sun protection does not start until a shade factor of 94% is reached - which equates to UPF15. Any shades providing less than 94% may not block enough UV rays to protect your family.

Sun block is an effective way to protect the skin from UV rays. Always use with care and as directed. Sun block needs to be re-applied at 2 hour intervals to continue protection. Use sun block along with other sun safety measures like hats, sun glasses, T-shirts, umbrellas, sunshades and natural occurring shade.

There are two main types of sun block - those that are absorbed into the skin and those that sit on top of the skin.  The goal of sun block is to prevent UV rays from penetrating deep into the skin where cancer cells mutates and can later cause skin cancer.

Blockers containing titanium or zinc are generally better for babies and children because fewer chemicals are absorbed by the body.

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