Summer Tips to beat the heat!

Apply Sunscreen Frequently Nothing can ruin an otherwise great day like a nasty sunburn. We all know we should use it, but there are some things you need to be aware of before you head out this season. Just this week the FDA announced new guidelines for sun protection and offered other advice for avoiding sun burns and skin damage.
·      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.

Sun Protection Specifically for Kids

Sun Protection for Children

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Sun protection for children is vital to the overall health of an emerging generation. They need to learn from an early age the benefits and dangers about the sun. The sun is vital to our existence – we all know and understand this. But as with most things in life, nothing is perfect.

With the hours children spend in front of computers and video games, it’s a gift when we see them playing outside. But even with this trend, there is still a rise in childhood skin disease and skin cancer.
Children’s skin is more vulnerable to be damaged by the sun’s UVA and UVB rays and it is widely believed that 80% of our lifetime sun exposed happens before our 18th birthday. Just a few serious
sunburns in a child’s early years can increase the possibility of a skin cancer diagnosis as an adult, especially melanoma – the most serious from of skin cancer. Non–melanoma skin cancers are linked to long term sun exposure, such as summers at the shore and playing school sports, especially for those with fair skin, freckles, light hair and eyes.

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Skin Cancer in Children:It is a myth that skin cancer is not a threat to children or teens. Skin damage accumulates over our lifetime and our childhood is the beginning of that life. As parents we try to teach our kids to eat right and exercise to keep healthy.

It’s only natural to teach them about the sun, limiting the amount of sun exposure, using sun-protective measures when outside, such as sunscreen and sun-protective apparel, and to avoid tanning beds.

Until recently, melanoma in children was almost unheard of, but there have been over 500 reported cases during the past decade alone and that number is expected to rise. As you would imagine, most parents or pediatricians don’t expect to find skin cancer in children. Because of this, pediatric melanoma often goes undiagnosed until the condition reaches the later stages, many times putting the child in great risk of a poor outcome.

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Children need sun protection and education Educational programs geared toward Sun Protection for Children.
Educating our children about sun protection is urgently needed. We need to raise awareness about the dangers of UV radiation that will create changes in our lifestyles and reverse the growing trend towards more skin disease and skin cancers.
There have been many educational programs created for schools and communities to use to spread the word about sun protection for children. Most of these campaigns center around the same simple principles:
YES - these all apply to adults too.

Seek Shade: UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday sun (between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), so it's best to limit outdoor activities during this time. Try to seek shade under a tree, but if this is not possible try an umbrella, or a pop-up tent.

Cover-Up: Clothing that covers as much of your child's skin is best. A Long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best, but they aren't always practical. A loose fitting T-shirt, long shorts, or a beach cover-up are good choices, too. There are many places to buy clothing and swimwear made with built in sun protection for children.


Get a Hat: Hats with wide brims that shade the face, scalp, ears, eyes and neck provide great protection. Baseball caps are popular, but they don't protect their ears and neck.


Wear Sunglasses: Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible. This will greatly reduce sun exposure which can lead to cataracts and other eye damage later in life.

Sunscreen: Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 15+ 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 and reapply every two hours.

Find out more about the many sun protection for children campaigns and start one in your community or child’s school.

Sun Protection for Children education is as important as Anti-Smoking, Anti-Drugs and Anti-Drinking education.

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

Baby sun smarts Shade, protective clothing, sunblock key to protecting tender skin

Baby sun smarts

Shade, protective clothing, sunblock key to protecting tender skin

The Ottawa Citizen

Nine-month-old Gryffudd Carter is well-protected from the sun in a solarweave hat by Puffin Gear and a turquoise "rashie" by Banz.

Photograph by: Kirstin Endemann, The Ottawa Citizen

If your baby is under six months, nine months, or 15 years, the best sun protection you can give them is shade, says Dr. Cheryl Rosen.

"Truth of the matter is, until a child can walk you should be able to keep them completely out of the sun," says the national director of the Canadian Dermatology Association's sun protection program.

"As soon as they can walk, you have lost control forever." That's when covering them up and smearing on sunblock becomes important.

UPF-rated baby swimwear, called rashies after the rash vests worn by surfers, is a popular summer choice, but Rosen says a simple swimsuit worn with t-shirt, hat and sunblock can be sufficient, so long as the t-shirt is dark in colour and tightly woven.

And contrary to popular belief, Rosen says there is no reason to not put sunblock on children, even ones under the age of six months.

Rosen has tried unsuccessfully to find any clinical evidence sunblock actually harms a young child. Numerous trials have never shown any harmful impact from sunblock, though some of the chemicals are absorbed into the body, she says.

Concerned parents might want to choose sunblocks with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, as these stay on the skin.

"Out of the sun is best, but if you are taking them to the lake or for a stroll then cover them up and put some sunblock on their hands and face."

She's most concerned that studies show parents are good at caring for their baby's health for the first year, then "by the second year have slacked off completely. You have to keep going."

And teach by example.

"Parents are the role model -- and grandparents, too, as it is never too late," says Rosen.

"If they see you do it, it will become just what they do when they go into the sun."

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

Sunburn Tips to Share with Kids

The weather is warming up, the days are longer and there’s more time to be outside doing all kinds of fun things! But if you're going to be out in the sun, especially on a hot day, you need to stay safe. Let's find out how.

Don't Feel the Burn

Even though the sun is hot, it does cool things. It keeps us warm. It makes flowers and plants grow. It even gives us vitamin D so we can better absorb calcium into our bodies for strong bones.

It does all these things by sending down light, which includes invisible ultraviolet (say: ul-trah-vye-uh-lut) rays. These are also sometimes called UV rays. Some ultraviolet rays pass through air and clouds and penetrate the skin. When your skin's been exposed to too many of these rays, you get what's known as a sunburn. Ouch!

Some people get a sunburn faster than others because of their coloring. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored skin, and light-colored eyes, you'll tend to get a sunburn more quickly than someone with dark eyes and skin. That's because you have less melanin (say: meh-luh-nun). Melanin is a chemical in the skin that protects the skin from sun damage by reflecting and absorbing UV rays. People with darker skin have more melanin, but even if you have dark hair, dark eyes, or darker-toned skin, you can still get a sunburn. It will just take a little bit longer.

Sunburns look bad and feel worse. They can cause blisters on your skin. They can keep you inside feeling sore when everyone else is outside having fun. They increase your chance of getting wrinkly when you get older. And worst of all, they can lead to skin cancer when you get older. Because getting wrinkles and getting sick don't happen right away, they can seem like things that could never happen to you. But you still need to be careful.

Prime Time

You don't need to hide from the sun completely or wrap up like a mummy to protect yourself. But you should take these two steps:

1. Always wear sunscreen.
2. Take frequent breaks from the sun by going indoors or moving into the shade.

These steps are especially important between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon, when the sun's rays are strongest.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Put on sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun. If you are fair skinned, you should use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating such as SPF 30. The letters SPF stand for sun protection factor, and the number rating tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. So if you normally burn after 20 minutes and you put on a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15, this sunscreen may give you 15 times the protection. That's 15 times 20 minutes, or 300 minutes (5 hours).

But this isn’t always true, so reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, just to be safe. Do this more often if you've been swimming or sweating a lot - even if the sunscreen is waterproof. And remember that you can get sunburned more quickly when you're swimming or boating because the reflection from the water intensifies the sun's rays.

Be sure to put sunscreen all over your body. This includes some places you might not think of, like the tops of your ears, the back of your neck, the part in your hair, your face, and the tops of your feet. If you want to block the sun's rays, wear clothing that you can't see your hand through. You may still get burned through sheerer fabrics. Wear a fun hat to block your face from the sun.

Don't forget that your eyes need protection from ultraviolet rays, too. Always wear sunglasses in the bright sun, and make sure they have a label saying that they block UV rays.

Drink Up!

Drinking water is an important part of staying healthy, especially when it's hot outside. When you're sweating, you lose water that your body needs to work properly. And if you're playing a sport or running around in the sun, you lose even more water, because you sweat that much more.

So drink up and don't wait until you're thirsty - drinking before you feel thirsty helps keep the water level in your body from dropping too low when it's hot or you're sweating a lot with exercise. If you forget and suddenly feel thirsty, start drinking then. There are lots of cool-looking water bottles around, so get one you really like, fill it up, and drink up!

Got That Hot Feeling?

If you're out in the hot sun, or you're exercising on a hot day, it's easy to get heat exhaustion. Kids get heat exhaustion when their bodies can't cool themselves fast enough. A kid with heat exhaustion might feel overheated, tired, and weak.

Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly. A person may just collapse when playing soccer or tennis, for example. It can leave a person feeling really tired for days after it happens.

Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness and can cause a person to stop sweating, to have red, hot skin, and to have a high temperature. The person might become uncoordinated, confused, or even lose consciousness. It requires emergency medical attention.

Be sure to tell an adult if you're hot and you have a headache or feel dizzy or nauseous (like you're going to throw up). The grown-up will want to get you out of the sun, give you liquids to drink, and take you to a doctor, if necessary.

The good news is that the sun doesn't have to be your enemy if you wear your sunscreen, drink your water, and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. And don't forget your sunglasses. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, they make you look so cool!

Updated and reviewed by: Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: August 2007

It's Sun Safety Week!!

This week is National Sun Safety Week! Promote sun safety and skin cancer prevention to your friends, colleagues and loved ones today and every day!

The Sun Safety Alliance provides great resources to help you block the sun, but not the fun!

Activities for Infants & Toddlers


Activities for Preschoolers


Activities for K-2nd grade


Activities for 3rd-5th grade


Activities for Middle School and High School


Did You Know...
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States; More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
- It is estimated that one American dies every hour from skin cancer.
- Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.

Visit us at http://usa.babybanz.com for even more sun safety tips!

Know Your Sunscreens!

Know your sunscreen: physical blocks and chemical blocks protect your skin in different ways.

When those first rays of warm summer sun hit our skin--before the muggy humidity kicks in--it's hard to resist soaking it up for hours. But basking can quickly become baking, and the next thing you're dealing with is sunburn, wrinkles, or an increased risk of several skin cancers.

Cover your skin The best way to guard your skin is to shield it from the sun.

* Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing. When you swim, wear a wetsuit, advises Alan Dattner, M.D., a holistic dermatologist in New York. And, if possible, stay out of the midday sun.

* Eat more brightly colored fruits and vegetables and drink green tea. High in antioxidants, they can help your skin repair sun damage and fight potentially cancer-causing free radicals, says Dattner.

* Apply an effective sunscreen. Whenever your skin is exposed, slather on a lotion high in SPF.

Read labels

Not all sunscreens are alike. It helps to understand the ingredients and know which rays they'll protect you from.

PHYSICAL BLOCKERS Minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used in physical blocks, which provide the most comprehensive coverage: They sit on top of your skin and reflect the rays of the sun, shielding what's underneath, explains Kenneth Beer, M.D., a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Fla.

CHEMICAL BLOCKERS Ingredients used in chemical blocks soak into your skin (instead of sitting on the surface) and help prevent damage by breaking down harmful ultraviolet rays.

WHAT SPF MEANS Sun Protection Factor indicates how much shelter you'll get from the sun's damaging rays. To find out how long a sunscreen will shade you, multiply its SPF by the amount of time your unprotected skin can spend in the sun without burning (for most people, this is between ten and 20 minutes, depending on skin type). If you burn after ten minutes, an SPF of 15 will shield your skin for 150 minutes.

WHAT UVA RAYS CAUSE

Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays can cause premature aging, such as wrinkles, and may even cause some skin cancers.

WHAT UVB RAYS CAUSE

Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are more potent, quicker to produce sunburn, and are a major cause of skin cancer. Because UVB rays cause sunburn, SPF always refers only to UVB protection. To defend yourself from both UVA and UVB rays, look for a physical block or a full-spectrum chemical block.

Slather all over

When applying sunscreen, don't forget your ears, neck, and the backs of your legs--places people often overlook. When you put it on your face, start at the outside and move in, suggests Doris Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York. "Most people miss the edges of their face, so starting there will help make sure every part is covered."

Physical blocks, which use ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, are effective immediately--no need to wait before going outside.

Parents Magazine and American Baby Magazine

American Baby Magazine June 2009 - Easy Listening on page 24 highlights the importance of hearing protection and Ear Muffs like our new ones available online now!!

Parents Magazine June 2009 - Sun Safety Made Easy and Outfits with Benefits on Page 48 highlights the importance of UV swimwear and our Kidz Banz sunglasses for eye protection all summer!

Baby Banz on CBS!!

Baby Banz Pink Floral Hat and Glasses Featured on CBS Up to The Minute segment with American Baby!

Choosing Children's Sunglasses

Choosing sunglasses for your kids

Did you ever notice how cute kids are in sunglasses? Like those "fashion statement" sunglasses with a cool super-hero look or trimmed in teddy bear faces?

More importantly, sunglasses may save their skin and eyes later in life by blocking the sun's powerful ultraviolet rays (UVR).

Children under age 10 are at a high risk for skin and eye damage from UVR. The skin on their eyelids and around their eyes is more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin. "And until about age 10, the lens of a child's eye is clear, allowing greater solar penetration and thus greater UVR-induced ocular changes," explains Adelaide A. Hebert, MD, professor and vice chair of dermatology, University of Houston. "After that, the lens starts to become more opaque, providing better protection."

UVR exposure causes 90 percent of all skin cancers. In addition, retinal exposure to UVR is associated with cataracts and macular degeneration, both causes of vision impairment. UVR damage builds over time, so the sooner you start protecting your children's eyes from the sun, the lower their risk will be of ever developing future eye problems.

Fortunately, good sunglasses protect both the skin around the eye and the eye itself. While children under 6 months old should never be exposed to the sun, once they reach 6 months, they should wear sunglasses outside. If they require prescription glasses, they should also wear prescription sunglasses.

Keep these rules in mind when buying sunglasses for children:

* Find glasses that block 99-100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Buy ones that indicate the percentage of UVR protection they provide. The more skin covered, the better, so look for large, wraparound styles.
* Use playground-proof lenses. Kids run, trip, fall, and bounce off objects at alarming speed. Their sunglasses should match this active lifestyle. Find impact-resistant, scratch-proof lenses that don't pop out of the frames. Avoid glass lenses, unless recommended by a doctor; plastic is safer. Frames should be bendable but unbreakable. Make sure the glasses fit snugly, close to the face.
* Let them choose. You're not the one who has to wear the glasses or hear other kids' comments on them. Children – especially older kids and teens – are likelier to actually wear them if they select them themselves.
* Eyeball the glasses. Check to see that lenses are not scratched or warped and have no other flaws that distort vision. Very young children may not know to complain if the glasses are flawed, so it's up to you to check before buying.
* Double Up. Sunglasses block only rays that come directly through the lenses. The skin around the eyes remains vulnerable to rays entering though the sides or from the top, or reflected upwards off snow, sand, water, etc. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is a good backup, blocking out many rays from above and even from the sides, while also shielding the face and neck. Seeking shade during the sun's most intense hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., provides another level of protection.

"We need to teach children early the importance of wearing sunglasses – just as we teach them to brush their teeth and wear a seatbelt, so that they develop good habits that last for life," concludes Dr. Hebert.

source: Skin Cancer Foundation http://www.skincancer.org/choosing-sunglasses-for-your-kids.html

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month!!

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Baby Banz encourages sun safety while in the sun

With spring here and summer on the way, it means more people will venture outside to play and work. Swimming, planting flowers, mowing the grass, back yard barbecues and other activities take place during the spring and summer months.

While the warmth and sun bring people outside, Baby Banz and the American Cancer Society encourage everyone to take caution and to protect their skin.

May is skin cancer awareness month. It’s a month used to encourage and remind people to take preventive measures while they enjoy various outdoor activities.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. This type of cancer can almost completely be avoided if people would protect their skin and follow simple guidelines when they are outside.

There are more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. That’s more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries and pancreas combined. And the number of skin cancers has been on the rise for the past few decades.

The vast majority of skin cancers are due to unprotected ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure. Most of this radiation comes from sunlight, but some may come from artificial sources, such as tanning booths. The amount of UV exposure depends on the strength of the light, the length of exposure and whether the skin is protected.

The American Cancer Society encourages people to enjoy the numerous outdoor activities, but they want them to be sun smart and to follow some easy tips to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Limit Direct Sun Exposure during Midday
UV rays are most intense during the middle of the day, usually between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are unsure about the sun's intensity, take the shadow test. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun's rays are the strongest. If you plan to be outdoors, you may want to check the UV Index in the area.

Cover Up
When in the sun, wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Clothes provide different levels of protection, depending on many factors. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts are the most protective. Dark colors generally provide more protection than light colors. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. Dry fabric is generally more protective than wet fabric. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through too. Be aware that covering up doesn’t block out all UV rays. A typical light T-shirt worn in the summer usually provides less protection than a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

Use a Sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or Higher
A sunscreen is a product that you apply to the skin for protection against the sun's UV rays. Sunscreens are available as lotions, creams, ointments, gels and wax sticks. The American Cancer Society recommends products with an SPF of at least 15. The SPF number represents the level of protection against UVB rays provided by the sunscreen -- a higher number means more protection.

Be sure to apply the sunscreen properly. Always follow the label directions. Most recommend applying sunscreen generously to dry skin 20 to 30 minutes before going outside so the chemicals have time to absorb into your skin. When applying, pay close attention to your face, ears, hands and arms. Coat the skin that is not covered by clothing.

Be generous. About 1 ounce of sunscreen (a "palmful") should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck and face of the average adult. For best results, most sunscreens must be reapplied at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating.

If you or your child burn easily, be extra careful to cover up, limit exposure and apply sunscreen. Do not use sunscreens on babies younger than 6 months. Instead, use hats, clothing and shading to protect small babies from the sun.

Wear a Hat
A hat with at least a 2 to 3 inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. A shade cap, which looks like a baseball cap with about 7 inches of fabric draping down the sides and back, also is good. These are often sold in sports and outdoor supply stores. A baseball cap can protect the front and top of the head but not the back of the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop.

Wear Sunglasses That Block UV Rays
Research has shown that long hours in the sun without eye protection increases the chances of developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. The ideal sunglasses do not have to be expensive, but they should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation.

Avoid Tanning Beds and Sunlamps
Many people believe that the UV rays of tanning beds are harmless. This is not true. Tanning lamps give out UVA and frequently UVB rays as well. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause serious long-term skin damage. Both contribute to skin cancer. Because of these dangers, the American Cancer Society advises people to avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Check out these twins in Bbay Banz and their brother sin JBanZ - too cool.. also for tips on how to teach your child to wear suglasses, click here.

More Sun Safety Tips!!

Sun Safety Tips
It's natural to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities! Baby Banz, Inc. encourages you to be safe by following these sun-safety tips year-round to help prevent serious skin damage—and possibly skin cancer—later!

* Keep in mind the sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
* Wear clothing that's dark and tightly woven, includingUV protective swimwear .
* Wear a wide-brimmed sun hatand sunglasses.
* Remember that UV rays bounce off sand, snow, concrete, and water.
* Do not use sun tanning beds.
* Keep very young children (6 months or less) out of the sun.
* Sunscreensneed to be applied liberally and evenly over all exposed areas.
* Apply a sunscreenwith a SPF of 15 or higher whenever you're outdoors. To achieve adequate UV protection you should use products that provide broad spectrum protection, which means protection against both UVB and UVA rays. For broad spectrum protection, look for products that provide an SPF of at least 15 and contain ingredients like Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or zinc oxide.
* For children, Baby Banz recommends sunscreenwith an SPF 30 or higher.
* Apply sunscreenbefore going outdoors and reapply often.
* Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring, and toweling off.
* Provide complete sunscreencoverage for your skin (including neck, ears and lips!).
* For people with thin or thinning hair, apply sunscreento the scalp as well.
* And remember - stay in the shade whenever possible!

Baby and Child Sun Protection

Playing in the sun is a fun outdoor activity for children. But, the sun can be dangerous. Recent medical research shows it is important to protect children from overexposure to the sun. Skin damage is cumulative - adds up over a lifetime - and starts with that first sun exposure.It is estimated that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. Sun protection with regular use of sunblock with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher during the first 18 years of life can lower the risk of certain skin cancers by 78%.

The two types of ultraviolet sunlight that can damage the skin are Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B rays. UVA rays are the slow-tanning rays that penetrate deep into the skin and age the skin prematurely. UVB rays cause burning of the skin and are considered the major cause of skin cancer. Young children are dependent on adults to take the appropriate precautions in providing sun protection. As a parent of a young child, there are several precautions you can take to help protect children from future health problems related to the sun.

Follow these simple guidelines to help minimize the risks of excessive sun exposure.

• Keep children out of the midday sun from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (daylight savings time 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).

This is the time when the sun's rays are the strongest. If outside activities are held between these times, play in a shaded area. Sit or play in the shade, especially when your shadow is shorter than you are tall.

• Use a sunscreen.

Before your child goes outside, apply a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher. The protective ability of sunscreen is rated by SPF - the higher the SPF, the stronger the protection. SPF numbers indicate the length of time one can spend in the sun without risk of burning.

When using an SPF 15 sunscreen, a fair-skinned person who normally sunburns in 20 minutes of midday sun exposure may tolerate 15 times 20 minutes (300 minutes) without burning. Apply as much sunscreen as you would a lotion for dry skin. Spread it evenly over all uncovered skin, including ears and lips, but avoiding eyelids. Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or excessive sweating. Teach children to use a sunscreen regularly, like they use a toothbrush and toothpaste.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Help your child find a hat with a wide-brim that protects the eyes, ears, face and back of the neck. Have your child shop with you to find a hat the child will enjoy wearing.

• Wear 100% UV protective sunglasses.

Sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays greatly reduce sun exposure, protecting the eyes and eyelids.

For infants and active toddlers, a sturdy, protective and durable frame with a strap to keep them in place is just the thing to have!

• Wear UPF 50+ protective clothing and swimwear.

Loose-fitting clothes that are tightly woven are a good choice. For swimming and other water activities, choose swimwear that has a built-in UPF of 50+.

• Be aware of ground surfaces.

Ground surfaces such as sand, cement and white painted surfaces reflect the sun's rays. In the water, ultraviolet light penetrates three feet deep.

Summertime is not the only time of the year children need to be protected from the sun. Snow reflects from 80 to 90 percent of the sun's rays. The sun's damaging effects are increased by reflection from water, white sand, and snow. Wear Ski goggles with UV protection to protect in winter!

• Practice the "shadow rule."

Look for shade when your shadow is shorter then you are tall.

Avoid sunburn.

It may take only 15 minutes of midday summer sun to burn a fair-skinned person. These include children who are fair-skinned, with light, red, or light-brown hair; blue, green or gray eyes. Since parents and child-care workers become role models to children, they need to set an example and follow the sun protection guidelines.