Baby Banz at Vision Expo 2010

Check out Operations Manager Shari Murphy giving some company and product  info at Vision Expo East 2010 in New York City last month.

Protecting your children's eyes from the sun

When the sun is shining on a nice warm summer day it's great to wear sunglasses. It looks good and it protects our eyes from harmful UV rays which can cause long term damage. Sometimes it's easy to forget that our children have even more sensitive eyes that need protecting.

Traditionally, to protect your childs eyes you would either use a hat that allows a shadow to form over the eyes or some other way of cover the sun so the eyes are shielded by a shadow. That's all well and good but the eyes aren't actually being covered. If your child looks up there will be no protection.

What are the risks?

The risks associated with prolonged UV exposure on infants' eyes are endless. There are many eye related health problems and even sight loss can become a problem. The young babies eyes aren't able to cope with extreme UV rays and can cause pain to the baby when outside after only a few minutes.

Imagine how it would feel, as a parent, if you child develops problems later on in life; problems that could have been easily prevented by protecting your Childs eyes from the sun.

Baby Banz

Baby Banz are a great solution, allowing your children to wear sunglasses at a very young age. Baby Banz feature a strap which wraps around the back of the head to prevent the sunglasses from falling off or slipping on the face. They also look adorable on any baby!

Baby Banz were first designed in Australia where the suns UV rays are at their highest and toughest. Baby Banz have been clinically tested by one of the world's leading authorities. Baby Banz sunglasses are safe and provide the maximum protection for your child. They've passed very high standards and tests making them perfectly safe.

A stylish solution

You really do have to see the Baby Banz on to see how amazingly adorable they are! They're quite a unique solution since not many other brands offer sunglasses to babies. Your baby can have that cool look and instantly impress anyone they meet!

Whilst some people see dressing your baby up to be stylish as inappropriate, others love it! When it comes down to it, there's nothing wrong with having a fashionable baby! People are likely to compliment you, and your family will have a cool looking younger member.

So, if you're heading out into the sun this summer; remember your children's eyes aren't as strong as yours. If you need to wear sunglasses then your children definitely need to wear sunglasses. It's the responsible thing to do and it will prevent any damage to your child. What's more, you can even get your children looking as stylish as you on the next family outing!

WTS Toy Review

Baby Banz is pleased to share another 5 star review of our Adventure Banz with you. This time from What The Stuff Toy review.  We are always so pleased when parents review our products with such high marks!

Heres the link to their review of our Baby frames: http://wtstoyreview.com/REVIEWS/Adventure-Baby-Banz-Baby-Sunglasses-Product-Review.htm

What the Stuff Toy Review has been developed to provide readers (moms and dads, manufacturers and commercial buyers) with product reviews and buyers guides for both ordinary and unusual products available on the market for babies through teens.  All items found here are reviewed and evaluated by our product specialist team, and you can rest assured that you will find honest and interesting information about each product.

Your Opinion Matters to Baby Banz!

Want your chance to win a complete Protection Collection valued at over $150?

Do you LOVE our Baby Banz sunglasses, UV Hats, hearing protection and UPF 50+ swimwear? Share your feedback and stories with us, and the world and your child could win new gear!

Log in to http://usa.babybanz.com and leave your review of any Baby Banz product before Feb 15, 2010 to enter to win!  Receive one entry per comment, per product - no limit!

Facebook Fan Drive - CLOSED, THANK YOU!

What's that 552 fans?! Let's get to 1000 this month! Every 15th new fan gets a pair of Baby Banz!! 

Click here! http://tinyurl.com/yk5y5nd

 As soon as we get to 1000 fans we get to have our custom Baby Banz Fan Page link - let's make it happen so it's easier for everyone to find us as we continue to grow our network to spread sun safety awareness!

Designer Sunglasses are Ideal from Baby Banz

Baby Banz sunglasses continue to be an altogether adorable item for your children, but there is an even more significant purpose to outfit your children with a fantastic pair of sunglasses. The sun’s rays are likely to be seriously detrimental to your infant’s eyes and a fantastic set of sunglasses come with the protection that they need.

When purchasing a pair of Baby Banz sunglasses make certain that you have the sunglasses fitted to your infant’s face. Little ones continue to be growing and are likely to rapidly grow out of a pair of sunglasses. The glasses should certainly fit comfortably to the face and keep the sunlight from creeping in around the edges. Style is fun for the glasses, but yet the fit is a more main component when choosing sunglasses.

Always check to make certain that the sunglasses you choose provide 100% protection from UV rays. Always check the labels to make certain that the sunglasses you go for provide one hundred percent security . Baby Banz sun glasses do just that! It really is most important that you defend your infant’s eyes from harmful sunlight.

The moment you have identified a pair of glasses that provide the type of protection that your children require from the sun, you may commence to try things out with diverse designs for your child. Sunglasses continue to be a fantastic style item and can look perfect on your child. Baby Banz gives you some of the best designs and looks for children while still providing the perfect protection for the eyes. All of Baby Banz sunglasses are at the top of the line for baby sunglasses. Selecting a superior quality brand label helps make sure that you are getting a pair of sunglasses that is hard wearing, protective and elegant.

Infants and tiny kids can be rough on a pair of sunglasses, so keep with the names that are the highest in quality. You possibly will have to pay out a little more for a pair of Baby Banz sunglasses, but they will offer the very best security and hold up well under the abuse that your toddler might inflict on them.

New Styles from Baby Banz!

Baby Banz is excited to announce the launch of 4 new patterns available in Baby and Kidz Adventure Banz! 

Already popular in Europe and Australia, Baby Banz USA is excited to offer them stateside.

The four new styles are available in both Kidz and Baby sizes and offer added style to the line's unbeatable protection for kids age 0-5. The new styles will be available to ship February 2nd. Place your order today to be one of the first to have them next week!

Winter Sun Safety Tips from Baby Banz

As cooler temperatures arrive, parents are unpacking sweaters, scarves and gloves. Unfortunately, many of them are also packing away sunglasses and sunscreen from summer. Most parents layer on the sun protection during the summer, but what about winter months? Consider the facts that 80% of sun damage children will receive occurs before the age of 18, and just one sunburn in childhood can increase the risks of melanoma in adulthood. Kids participating in winter activities, like skiing, snowboarding, or even snowball fights in the backyard face just as much risk for getting sunburned as they do at the beach!

Snow amplifies the burning potential of the sun by reflecting the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) that causes sunburns. In fact, snow reflects about 85% of the sun’s rays, while water reflects 100%. At higher elevations, where skiers and snowboarders generally play, the thinner atmosphere screens out significantly less of the incoming UVR than it does at lower elevations.

Baby BanZ offers these tips for staying protected all year:

Don't forget the eyes! Sunlight reflecting off snow, sand or water further increases exposure to UV radiation, increasing the risk of developing eye problems such as cataracts. Long hours on the beach or in the snow without adequate eye protection can result in a short-term condition known as photokeratitis, or reversible sunburn of the cornea. This painful condition--also known as "snow blindness"-can cause temporary loss of vision.

When buying sunglasses, look for a label that specifically offers 100% UV protection. This assures that the glasses block both UVA and UVB radiation. Children should wear real sunglasses-not toy sunglasses-that indicate the UV protection level. Dark or tinted eyewear sold as fashion accessories may provide little or no protection from UV or visible light. Polycarbonate lenses are the most shatter-resistant.

Sunscreen. When selecting a sunscreen, look for the label "broad spectrum (UVA/UVB)" and a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Since sunscreen isn't fully effective right away, apply sunscreen half an hour before going out in the sun. Then reapply it generously and often- don't forget the ears, neck and hands. Discard old or expired sunscreen.

Hat. Wear a wide-brim hat that protects the face and back of the neck.

Peak Hours. The most significant sun exposure occurs between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. During these times put on extra sunscreen or take a break from the sun and get some lunch.

Check out Babes in the Woods coming this Spring from Author Jennifer Aist for tips on introducing kids to the outdoors. Baby Banz is featured as a recommended resource for sun protection!

Travels with Baby Recommends Baby Banz

In her book, Travels with Baby, Shelly Rivoli, award-winning author, family travel blogger and mom of three recommends Baby and Kidz Banz UV protection!

Shelly is a Top 10 Winner in Tripbase 2009 Family Travel Blogs and was featured in Travelblogs.com's "99 of the Best Travel Blogs" list.

Shelly's family travel tips and advice have appeared in national parenting magazines, including American Baby, Nick Jr. Magazine, Parent & Child, Parenting, Parents, and Pregnancy, and on popular parenting websites and blogs including, BabyCenter.com, Babble.com, Urban Baby Daily, aParentlySpeaking, and TimeOut New York Kids. She is also Baby Travel Expert for Tibesti.com, and a contributor to Travel Savvy Mom.

Shelly has made radio and TV appearances, including the Happy Housewives Club, Childhood Matters, and is a frequent guest on ABC San Francisco's The View from the Bay (see more in media section). She also writes a "Travels with Baby" column at Examiner.com: www.Examiner.com/travelswithbaby, where she's featured a special series of interviews with Moms Around the World.

Travels with Baby will help you:

• Have great family getaways at every age and stage--and with any temperament.

• Learn the ins and outs of flying with children on laps, in car seats, and in airline bassinets.

• Enjoy an urban adventure, train trip, cruise, or a back-country camping trip with your child.

• Conquer jetlag with your child and manage changes in eating and sleeping routines.

• Prepare for cultural differences, health concerns, and safety issues when traveling far from home.

• Find the cruise or resort that's the perfect fit for your family's vacation needs--and desires.

• Stay two steps ahead of high-energy children, picky eaters, and potty trainees as you travel.

More about Travels with Baby...

Travels with Baby is a book you can use through all phases of your child's first years. Here are just a few examples of how this book may help you plan: all family trips, air travel, rail travel, cruise vacations, travel by automobile, and international travel.

Special sections also address:

- Flying with twins and multiples

- Rail travel with twins and multiple children

- Flying with special needs children

- Flying for an international adoption.

For more information, see the detailed Table of Contents.

November Reviews and Giveaways

Baby Banz on A Morning Ottawa Morning Show!

Check out our Operations Manager, Shari spreading the news about Baby Banz and UV protection on Ottawa's A Morning Show last Friday!




Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lP2aHx0Mw

New Mom Tested Reviews

Check out these new web reviews!

Protecting Children from the Sun

Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're outdoors.

• Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened.
• Cover up. Clothing that covers your child's skin helps protect against UV rays. Although a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best, they aren't always practical. A T-shirt, long shorts, or a beach cover-up are good choices, too—but it's wise to double up on protection by applying sunscreen or keeping your child in the shade when possible.
• Get a hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don't protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.
• Wear sunglasses. They protect your child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don't forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet.

Take sunscreen with you to reapply during the day, especially after your child swims or exercises. This applies to waterproof and water-resistant products as well.

Follow the directions on the package for using a sunscreen product on babies less than 6 months old. All products do not have the same ingredients; if your or your child's skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or call a doctor. Your baby's best defense against sunburn is avoiding the sun or staying in the shade.

Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow kids to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Try combining sunscreen with other options to prevent UV damage.

Too Much Sun Hurts

Turning pink? Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. So, if your child's skin looks "a little pink" today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun.

Tan? There's no other way to say it—tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child's skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays.

Cool and cloudy? Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them—and sometimes only slightly.

Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are outdoors unprotected for longer than expected. Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy—in your car, bag, or child's backpack.

Sun Safety at School

The brochure Sun Safety at Schools: What You Can Do (PDF-245KB) explains how school administrators and staff, parents, and community healthcare service providers can promote sun safety.

View page in

• Español (Spanish)

Contact Us:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
  
• cdcinfo@cdc.gov

• Content source: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Lack of Eye Protection From UV Rays May Cause Damage Now and Later in Life

Lack of Eye Protection From UV Rays May Cause Damage Now and Later in Life

Prevent Blindness America Warns Public on Possible Immediate and Lasting Effects of UV Damage

CHICAGO (April 29, 2009) – Ultraviolet (UV) rays are well known for their damaging effects on the skin. One area of the body that sunscreen cannot protect is the eyes. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause “sunburns” to the eye, also known as photokeratitis. The painful condition may result in temporary loss of vision for 1-2 days. In addition, the presence of pterygium, a growth of tissue that forms on the white of the eye, is in direct correlation to the amount of UV exposure that the person has been subjected to. Without treatment, this condition may require surgical treatment.

The damaging effects of UV rays may not develop until years later. In fact, UV damage is cumulative and has been linked to cataracts and macular degeneration later in life. The delicate skin around the eye and the eyelids is also susceptible to UV damage. According to the Office of Air and Radiation at the Environmental Protection Agency, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer to affect the eyelids and may appear on the lower lid, in the corners of the eye and under eyebrows.

Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has declared May as UV Awareness Month to help educate the public on how to protect their eyes. Fortunately, protecting the eyes and vision is easy and does not have to be expensive. No matter what time of year it is or what the weather forecast is, sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays should always be worn in conjunction with a brimmed hat. While UV-A has lower energy, it penetrates deep into the eye and may injure the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sight in the center field of vision. UV-B radiation is presumably more dangerous and is mainly absorbed by the cornea and lens of the eye and can damage those tissues.

Wrap-around sunglasses are best as they protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes. Some contact lenses may offer UV protection but they can’t protect the entire eye and the skin around it.

“When we head outside to enjoy the great outdoors, we all need to remember to protect one of our greatest gifts—our sight,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “We adults need to be good examples for our children and encourage them to get in the habit of protecting their vision for years to come.”

According to the American Optometric Association, children are at a greater risk of UV damage because the lenses of their eyes are more transparent, which allows more short wavelength light to reach the retina. Parents looking to purchase sunglasses for their children should remember to buy sunglasses with the proper UV protection. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays.

And, children’s glasses should be made of unbreakable polycarbonate to fit their active lifestyle. The frames should be bendable and the lenses should not pop out. The child should try the sunglasses on and make sure they shield enough of the eye above, below and on the sides.

For more information on the dangers of UV exposure and more information on how to choose the best sunglasses for adults and children, please visit preventblindness.org/uv or call (800) 331-2020.

About Prevent Blindness America

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.