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Sun and Water Safety

With summer upon us, it is time to gear up for the outdoors. This means restocking the sunblock and reminding ourselves (and our child care providers) about the extra safety measures that go with the wonderful Idaho summers.

Sun Safety

Sun damages the skin year-round. The best protection is to use sunscreen year-round, not just in the summer. Applying sunscreen should become part of your child's morning schedule so it becomes a habit. While sunscreens do provide ample protection from sun damage, they are not 100 percent effective.

Additional steps must be taken to protect children (and adults) from overexposure. Even one or two blistering sunburns can significantly increase a child's risk for developing melanoma/skin cancer later in life.

The younger the child, the more sensitive the skin. In 1998, a national, five-year awareness initiative to prevent skin cancer among Americans was implemented. The "Choose Your Cover" campaign's goal is to educate and encourage people to protect themselves from the sun's ultraviolet rays by practicing sun-safe behaviors.

Skin cancer is increasing in the United States, and the increase appears to be related to increased voluntary sun exposure, which means it is largely a preventable disease if people will take the necessary steps to protect their skin.

In a 1996 Healthy Skin Habits Survey, commissioned by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Parents magazine and Safeguard Soap, 90 percent of parents indicated they knew that sun exposure during childhood increases the risk of skin cancer. However, only 60 percent of the parents indicated they usually or always put sunscreen on their children. Children need sunscreen applied every time they go outside to play, not just when they are at the beach.

The following tips are supplied by the American Academy of Dermatology:

 Stay out of the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM (some groups recommend 10 AM and 2 PM), when the sun's rays are strongest. Don't forget there is reflective light even in the shade.
 

• Babies under 6 months old should spend very little time in the sun. If they are out in the sun, they should wear protective clothing, including a hat with a brim that shades their face and sunglasses that filter harmful UV rays.
   
• Babies and children over 6 months should always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before children go outside and reapplied every two or three hours when they are in the sun or water, even if the label says the product is waterproof. Don't forget the nose, lips, ears and backs of hands and feet! Stick sunscreen products with paraffin are good for those areas, since they don't drip and sting young eyes.
   
• Kids should wear photoprotective clothing and hats: Just wearing a white T-shirt is not good enough. A wet, light-colored shirt transmits almost as much light to a child as his or her bare skin. Wear tightly-woven clothing (with long sleeves and pants) and hats whenever possible. Some companies specialize in designing photoprotective clothing. Your dermatologist can recommend an appropriate brand.

Other important things to remember:

• Make sure the child drinks plenty of fluids — offer them often.
   
•  Leave a bottle of sunscreen with your child care provider and talk with them about your concerns and/or precautions (share this article with them).
   
• Take extra precautions if your child is on medications — the medications may make their skin more sensitive to the sun's rays.
   
• Consult your health care provider if your child receives a sunburn which results in severe blisters, has signs of heat stroke, is running a fever of 102 degrees or higher.
   

Water Safety

Water Safety goes hand in hand with Sun Safety, because all too often we (and our children) are seeking ways to escape the heat of summer. Water is an important and vital part of our lives all year long — but also becomes a more recreational part of our schedules in the summer. Swimming pools, days at the beach, camping, fishing trips, increased family time outside, irrigation ditches and full canals — all of these activities increase a child's exposure to water and potential hazards.

A small child can drown in less than 2 inches of water. Those who survive a near drowning, often suffer brain damage. Following the tips provided below may help avoid such an accident:

• Never leave an infant or small child unattended in the bathtub.
• Fence all home pools, ponds, spas, hot tubs — keep the gates closed and locked. Make it difficult to get to the pool — remove the ladders from above-ground pools. Pool safety covers and alarms provide ADDED protection — do not substitute pool covers for fencing.
• Supervise young children whenever they are around water ( in the tub, the swimming pool, oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, spas, hot tubs, wading pools, buckets, toilets).
• Remind others (relatives, baby sitters, caretakers) not to leave the child unattended.
• Don't leave toys in the water — toys could lure a child back when a parent is not present.
• Don't rely on flotation devices or inflatable toys — they can suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath leaving the child in a dangerous situation.
• Teach your children to swim (recommended for children over age 3 by the American Academy of Pediatrics).
• Don't forget the sunscreen.

Above all, be ready for the worst by knowing what to do in an emergency:

• Have rescue equipment easily accessible to your pool (such as a pole and ring buoy).
• Know where the shut-off switch for the hot tub or spa is located.
• Have emergency numbers and instructions written and near the phone. Make sure everyone knows where they are.
• Learn CPR. Seconds count when it comes to preventing death or permanent injury.
   

Additional Articles/Resources

Note: You'll find these articles at different web sites. Use the "back" button when you're done to return to this page.

SunWise Program — The SunWise Program is an environmental and health education program that aims to teach the public how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun through the use of classroom-based, school-based, and community-based components.

SHADE Foundation of America — SHADE is working to create sun-safety attitudes in society, especially in our youth. Developing responsible sun attitudes at an early age can eliminate the alarming statistics that continue to increase. Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US with more than 1 million new cases diagnosed each year. Our site is a place where melanoma patients, survivors and their families can find information and support. Parents and teachers can find programs to educate their children. Corporations and individuals can learn how they can provide sun-safety to children.

Practicing Water Safety — American Academy of Pediatrics.

Water Safety — Water hazards, safety in the bathtub, swimming lessons.