5 Crucial Steps to Protect Your Kids From The Summer Sun

As we start to slip into the months of hot summer, the dangers associated with the heat and sun are as relevant as ever. Kids playing in the pool, beaches, running around under the sun can cause severe damage to their skin, but the scalding heat can also cause dehydration. Although you might have never suffered from these side effects before, times have changed, the climate has changed and so has technology! Today, we will outline the actions you can take to protect your child from the hot summer sun!

1. Always have shade. A shaded area is a must during the summer when you are playing outdoors. Due to the long days of sunshine, the floor tends to get very hot, and kids tend to play all the time under the sun. Although they might not want to, it is extremely important to get some downtime under the shade for your skin to cool off. Failing to take a break in the shade to cool off can cause something called a sunstroke. This is a condition in which the child (or adult) heats up too much, causing fevers of 104°F, dizziness, disorientation, headaches, and in severe cases can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. All in all, have a shaded spot! If you need a recommendation for a tent or an umbrella for the beach, click this link to see a great option!

2. Don’t go easy on the water. And no, we don’t mean ocean or pool water, we mean drinking water! It is known to all that the human body needs water to function. During summertime, the days are longer, the sun is hotter, and this causes our bodies to sweat out the water inside of us. If we fail to replenish this water, we can get dehydrated, which is not a good thing to be! Dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness, dry lips, eyes and mouth, thirst, and dark urine. Being dehydrated for a long time can cause even more concerning health problems, such as organ failure. So, to prevent dehydration from taking place, always bring water and hydrating liquids with you anywhere you go! If you are traveling with a family, it is a good idea to bring a cooler with snacks, but most importantly, a lot of water!

3. Lather on the sunscreen. You may know that the side effects of the sun can go way beyond just giving you a nice little tan. Staying in the sun for long periods of time with no protection whatsoever can cause your skin to burn, peel, or even create blisters from a 3^rd-degree burn. Furthermore, long-term exposure to the sun without protection can cause life-threatening diseases, like skin cancer. We are not saying that the sun is deadly and is awful to be under it but do take precautions and be careful with it during the summer times, especially for kids! Children don’t have as much resistance to the sun as adults do, and they can get burned a lot easier. To prevent them from forming blisters, burning their skin, or getting freckles for life, protect them with SPF 30+ sunscreen. A great recommendation is Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen. Remember to lather on every two hours, and every hour if they are playing in the water!

4. Wear protective clothing. Even on the beach, sometimes it is necessary to wear clothing that protects you from the sun, especially during the hottest hours which are from 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm. During these times, the sun is at its prime and can cause the most damage to our skin. If your child is playing in the sun or the water during those times, be sure to bring out a shirt to protect their shoulders and back, and a cap to protect their faces and head. It is also highly recommended to wear a cap no matter what time of the day it is.

5. Lastly, get a good night’s sleep. Resting your body may seem like it has nothing to do with the sun or protecting yourself from the heat, but a rested body can do a lot more than a tired one! If your children are playing in the heat all day long, of course, they will be prone to sleeping early and well, but even then, make sure that they get a good night’s sleep for them to be able to handle the next days of summer!

Now that you know exactly what precautions to take for a long, hot summer day outdoors, you can let the kids run free! Remember, shade, hydration, sunscreen, clothing, and sleep! Following this, you and your family will be able to enjoy your summer without having to make last-minute trips to the doctor for heat-induced injuries and conditions.

Happy summer!