Summer weather is finally here,
and for most families, that means more time outdoors. To help everyone have a
fun and healthy summer, First Things First has partnered with Barbara
Jorgensen, Public Program Manager at Yavapai County Community Health Services,
to offer tips to help parents keep their young kids sun safe.
Jorgensen said that families in our area need to be
especially sun-cautious. “Here in Prescott, the sun is more intense because of
our altitude,” she said.
Jorgensen recommends that parents avoid all direct sun
exposure for children under the age of six months. After six months, if a child
is exposed to direct sunlight, she recommends that parents apply sunscreen with
an SPF of 30 or higher every couple of hours, put a shaded hat on their child,
and have their child wear sunglasses. “Bright sunlight can damage the eyes,”
said Jorgensen. “Sunlight can also harm the eyes by reflecting off surfaces
such as water and concrete.” Parents should choose sunglasses for their child
that protect from both UV-A and UV-B rays.
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| Paige Safro of Prescott gives a leg up to his 2-year-old great-grandaughter, Maia. |
“The sun is most
intense during the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM,” said Jorgensen. To reduce sun
exposure, families can plan their outdoor activities before or after these
times of day.
“When the weather gets warmer, it seems logical to dress
your child in less clothing, but less clothing means more sun exposure” said
Jorgensen. She recommends that young children be dressed in lightweight long-sleeved
clothing.
Young children often need to be reminded to take water
breaks when they are playing outside. “The younger the child, the more frequent
the water breaks should be,” said Jorgensen. “By the time they feel thirsty,
they’re already dehydrated.” To hydrate a child, parents should regularly give
their children non-caffeinated beverages, like juice or water.
Lastly, parents should have a conversation with their kids about
staying sun safe, which will help them develop healthy habits now and in the
future. Jorgensen is the local Director of Child Care Health Consultants, a
program funded by First Things First that provides health and safety trainings to
preschools and child care centers. Through the program, young kids learn about
sun safety, including sun-appropriate clothing, sunglasses, hydration, and
sunscreen. After participating in the
program, it’s often the kids that are reminding their parents about sun safety.
“It’s so much easier to prevent sun damage than to fix it,”
said Jorgensen. By following these tips, parents can make sure their whole
family has a safe, happy, healthy summer.
Barbara Jorgensen is a Public Health Program Manager at
Yavapai County Community Health Services, which receives support from First
Things First. To learn more about First Things First, please visit
ReadyAZKids.com
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