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Staying Sun Safe is Simple

With just a few basics, you can start building healthy habits to keep your kids safe. Whenever they're outdoors, always remember to: SLIP! on a shirt, SLOP! on a sunscreen of 15+, SLAP! on a hat, WRAP! on sunglasses. Look for shade in the middle of the day. Helpful hints: Keep a bottle of sunscreen in the car. Pack sunscreen in your kid's knapsack or gym bag.

Take Care Of your Kids Inside and Out

Making sure your children eat right and get enoguh sleep takes care of their inside. But their outside needs special care, too. It's important to protect their skin from the damaging effects of the sun. No matter what they're doing, or what time of the year it is, if they're outside, they need to be protected.

As a parent, it's up to you to set a good example. Building safe sun habits into your family's daily routine is easier than you think. Children will respond better when they understand why skin protection is important. Begin by teaching them the American cancer Society's easy safe sun habits.

Keep your kids sun safe, every day!

Sun facts- Research shows a link between sunburns in children and an increased risk of melanoma and skin cancer later in life.

Protecting skin from the sun during childhood and adolescence is very important in reducing the risk of skin cancer in adulthood.

About 80% of skin cancers could be prevented by protecting skin from the sun's rays.

Play in the shade.

The sun's rays are generally strongest from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Whenever possible, plan outdoor activities so as not to be in the sun during the middle of the day. When your kids are outdoors, be sure their skin is protected. UV rays reflect off water, sand, snow, and any light colored surface, like concrete. UV rays also reach below the water's surface.

Cover up with hats and shirts.

Have fun choosing hats and shirts with your kids. Hats should shade their faces, necks and ears. When it comes to clothes, choose shirts and slacks made of tightly woven fabrics that you can't see through when held up to light.

Use sunscreen every day.

          Apply sunscreen every day on skin that is not protected by clothing or a hat. Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Important: Sunscreen is not recommended for children less than 6 months old. Protect them with clothing and keep them in the shade.

The finishing touch.

Sunglasses protect eyes and the tender skin around them from harmful UV rays.

Avoid Tanning booths.

No matter how much your teenager may beg, a sunlamp or tanning booth is not a good idea. Sunlamps damage the skin and don't help, or protect it.

The American Cancer Society Recommends:

1. Wear protective clothing when out in the sun.
2. Wear a hat that shades your face, neck, and ears.
3. Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
4. Plan outdoor activities to avoid the midday sun.

Keep Your Family Sun Safe. Start Today. Whenever you're outdoors, always remember to: Look for shade in the middle of the day and SLIP! on a shirt, SLOP! on a sunscreen of 15+, SLAP! on a hat, WRAP! on sunglasses.