If you are from South Carolina, you know all about our famously hot summers. Dealing with the aftermath of sunburn can completely ruin a great summer day. Treating a child with sunburn is no fun at all. Make this summer your best summer by keeping your family sun-safe. Here are tips from the Centers for Disease Control on sun safety.
- Find shade. Try to avoid outdoor activities around midday. This is when UV rays are strongest. If you must be outside, stay in shaded places such as under trees or pop-up tents.
- Cover up. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants can provide protection from the sun. Avoid sheer clothing. If you can see through it, the sun can too. Dark colors may offer more protection than lighter colors.
- Wear a hat. Hats are easy to use and give great protection for your head. It is better to wear a hat that can shade the face, scalp, ears and neck. If the hat does not cover some of those areas, make sure to use sunscreen.
- Wear sunglasses. UV rays can damage not only your skin, but your eyes as well. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block as close to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays as possible.
- Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Use sunscreen that has at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection. For kids, apply sunscreen every time your child goes outside and after your child swims or exercises. Keep sunscreen on hand and make application a habit.
Healthy Blue is hosting lots of fun, summertime events for the entire family. Visit www.HealthyBlueSC.comand select Community to see our events calendar — and don’t forget your sun protection!
Remember, it doesn’t have to be sunny to get burned. Sunscreen should be used even when you’re not in direct sunlight. On a cloudy day, when you’re in the car, and even in the water, there is still risk. Plan ahead and keep sun protection handy to make sure you stay protected all summer long.
Centers for Disease Control is an independent organization that offers health information that you may find helpful.
Tiffany Carree-Clark is a social media strategist for Healthy Blue. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2015 with a degree in public relations and Spanish. She spent two years working with the South Carolina Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative to help youths and young adults find resources and care before joining the Healthy Blue team. Her passion is to help people have meaningful conversations. She hopes this will help bridge the gaps between communities and health care. When she’s not working, Tiffany enjoys travel and painting. She also loves to spend time with her dog, Prince.