· Most people don’t put on enough sunscreen. Doctors say that to be fully covered, you need to apply the equivalent of a shot glass full of lotion to your body.
· You need to reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes to 2 hours
· Make sure your sunscreen is “broad-spectrum” and protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
· Choose an SPF of at least 30. Doctors say that anything over SPF 50 doesn’t really mean anything.
· New guidelines will no longer allow sunscreens to claim they are “water proof” or “sweat proof.” They can claim they are “water-resistant” but even so, doctors and scientists say, you still need to apply every 90 minutes to 2 hrs.
Drink water! It’s very easy to become dehydrated in hot weather, and children are very susceptible to water loss. Although they may ask for soda or juice, make sure they (and you) are mostly drinking water. Sugary drinks, whether natural or artificial, are simply not as effective at hydration (and they add unnecessary calories).
Warning signs of dehydration include:
· Feeling dizzy
· Having a dry or sticky mouth
· Producing less or darker urine
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or in your children, get somewhere cool as quickly as possible and drink cool water.
