| Sun Safety ABC’s |
| Cumulative sun damage causes skin cancer. The amount of unprotected sun exposure your child has can seriously impact his or her risk of developing skin cancer, especially melanoma. Melanoma is now the most common form of cancer among people 25-29 years old and the second most common for people 15-29 years old. |
| To minimize the harmful effects of sun exposure, sun protection should be a life-long practice for everyone.By following the ABC steps below, you and your family can enjoy time outside. |
| A for AVOID SUNBURN: Sunburn is painful.Seek shade when possible, and remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM. Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand, as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun and can increase your chance of sunburn. Get Vitamin D safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with Vitamin D. Don't seek the sun. |
| B for BLOCK the SUN: Generously apply about one ounce, or the size of a golf ball, of sunscreen to cover all exposed skin 15 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 and provide broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Children less than 6 months old should not use sunscreen. Keep them in the shade. |
| C for COVER-UP: Wear protective clothing, such as a swim shirt when swimming. When possible, wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Sun protective clothing when combined with sunscreen is a very effective method of sun safety. |
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