- Cover up. Make sure your child is wearing clothes made from tightly-woven fabric. In extreme sun conditions, it is recommended that you apply sunscreen under clothing for extra protection.
- More is better. Most parents apply only one quarter of the sunscreen required to prevent skin damage. One half of an adult palmful of sunscreen is the correct amount for a small child.
- Shadows count. The shorter a child’s shadow, the more intense the sun and the more important it is to play it safe. Teach older children that they should play in the shade or indoors when their shadow is short.
- Apply sunscreen early. Applying sunscreen one half-hour before your child goes out in the sun allows time for the active agents to settle in the skin and provide proper protection.
- Observe the two-hour rule. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours to maintain the proper level of protection.
Sunscreens are not recommended for babies under six months of age. Young babies should be kept out of the sun, and given plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.
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