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Sun safety 101

The heat is on. With summer here, we think it’s time for a little refresher on sun safety for adults and babies. Thanks to Health Canada and The Canadian Pediatric Society, we have the lowdown on how to stay safe in the sun.

Did you know?

According to Health Canada, you and your baby or child can burn in only 15 minutes, depending on the UV index value.

UV lowdown

Two kinds of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage your skin and eyes. They are called UVA and UVB rays. Broad-spectrum sunscreens will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
If the UV index is low – from 0 to 2 – no protection is required as the risk of getting too much sun is low.
If the UV index is between 3 and 7, you need to protect your skin from the sun.
If the UV index is higher than 8, then you’ll definitely need extra protection.

How to stay sun safe

Cover up by wearing long sleeves and a hat with a wide brim. Try to find shade and stay out of the sun. According to Health Canada, if your shadow is shorter than you, the sun is very strong.
Health Canada recommends children stay out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Bring an umbrella if you are going to the beach or to a park that doesn’t have any trees for shade.

What we like to wear

If you have a baby under six months or would like better sun protection for your child, many moms have recommended using a sunsuit that offers SPF protection of 50, as well as sunhats that offer SPF protection and are waterproof.

We found online store www.babysunprotection.com that offers a huge selection of sun protection gear for babies and children. We also found online store Lion in the Sun to have a great selection of UV sun suits and hats and they are currently offering free standard shipping on all orders to Canada. Alternatively, sunsuits and hats are available at many local children’s stores.

Sunscreen tips

Always wear sunscreen in the sun. However, it’s recommended that babies under six months do not wear sunscreen.
When the UV index is 3 or more, your sunscreen’s SPF should be higher than 15. However, children should have at least a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.
Apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before you go out and reapply about 20 minutes after being out in the sun so that you can make sure that you applied the sunscreen evenly. Also reapply after swimming.

Sunscreen we like

Drop by your local health food store such as Capers, Choices or Planet Organic in BC, or Planet Organic and Community Natural Foods in Calgary, where you’ll find a great selection of chemical-free and natural sunscreens that use zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and PABA, which are physical barrier-type sunscreens. They are available for both children and adults.

Sunglasses

While you are busy protecting your skin, don’t forget that eyes can also be damaged when left unprotected in the sun. Apparently, children have larger pupils and less pigmented tissues, which means that their eyes are more vulnerable to strong sunlight. To help prevent eye damage, little ones should be wearing sunglasses while in the sun. When you are buying a pair ensure that they block both the UVA and UVB.

Sunglasses we like

One of the most popular brands of sunglasses you’ll find out there are the Baby Banz and Kids’ Banz. The wrap around sunglasses apparently eliminate 99.5 per cent of UVA and UVB rays and are held in place by a special strap. As long as junior doesn’t lose them, they should last for a while as they have no breakable hinges or arms.

Speaking of Banz, they also make sunsuits and sunhats. To find a retailer near you or to purchase them online, visit the distributor’s website.

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