Sun Safety July 2002 The sun is more dangerous than it was 20 years ago. That's why it's important to protect your child from the sun. How can I protect my baby? Babies can burn more easily, because they are not born with a developed skin protection system. Even children born with dark pigmented skin need maximum protection. Babies have more sensitive skin because the outermost layer of their skin is thinner. Because young children have more skin relative to their body mass than an adult, a sunburn would be more serious. A baby can't tell you that they are too hot or the sun's too bright. Your baby may begin to cry and you won't know whether they are tired, hungry, hot, or they are becoming sunburned. Keep babies out of direct sunlight (under a tree, an umbrella or a stroller canopy) to prevent skin damage and dehydration. Remember, babies can't physically move themselves out of the sunlight. If fabrics are 'see through,' this means that the sun's rays can also get through to the skin. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under six months, because they can rub it into their eyes or put treated areas in their mouths. How can I protect my child? Dress for the sun. Have your children wear broad-brimmed hats and loose-fitting clothing that covers their arms and legs. Make sure that they wear sunglasses with protection from ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB). Don't stay in the sun. The sun is the hottest between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Encourage your children to play in the shade during this time. Put sunscreen on your children every time they play outside, not just on sunny days. Remember, they can get sunburn on a cloudy day and from light reflected by snow, water or sand. Use sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Check the label to be sure. Any skin that is exposed needs sunscreen. Don't forget the face, ears, nose, back of neck and tops of feet. Sunscreen wears off, so it should be re-applied every two or three hours, and after swimming. As a parent, remember: Using a higher SPF number gives you more protection from the sun. Using a sunscreen that says "broad-spectrum" on the label will screen out most of the UVA/UVB rays. Check your local radio and TV stations for the UV index before you go outside. If low (0-3), the risk for burn is low, if high (8-10), the risk for burn is high. Just one blistering sunburn during childhood is known to play an important role in the development of skin cancer later in life. (Guidotti T (1999). Canadian Guide to Health and the Environment. Edmonton, Alberta: The University of Alberta Press and Duval Publishing House.) According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, over 75,000 Canadians develop skin cancer annually, but the good news is that skin cancer is almost totally preventable. So protect yourself and your family. Set a good example as a guardian and teach your children the necessity of life-long sun protection on a daily basis. Some medications may increase the skin's sensitivity to UV rays, so ask your doctor or pharmacist if the prescription and over-the-counter medications your child is taking can increase sun sensitivity. If your child is showing signs of heat stress (heat rash, general redness, irritability, drowsiness), sponge them down with cool water or wrap them in a wet sheet, give them cool water to drink or see your doctor or emergency room. By: Jessica Woolfrey & Lyne St-Charles Back to CICH Communiqués About the Institute / Partnership Opportunities / Planned Giving / Projects & Activities / Resources & Publications / News Releases / CICH Communiqués / Links / Special Events / Coming Soon / Environmental Health / What's New / Site Map / French / Home If you have any comments about our website, please contact our webmaster. Last Reviewed: January 20, 2003 Copyright 2003