Sun
Safety
Protect
yourself and your family from the sun:
- Stay
out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are
strongest.
- Use
a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and
has a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or greater, even on cloudy days. Buy a
non-stinging product or one specially formulated for use on faces if
you're using it on your face or your children. Buy a PABA-free brand if
you are sensitive to that sunscreen ingredient.
- Reapply
sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, especially if you're swimming
or sweating.
- Wear
protective, tightly woven clothing. Dark colors give more protection.
- Wear
a 4-inch-wide broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protective
lenses.
- Stay
in the shade whenever possible.
- Avoid
reflective surfaces that can reflect up to 85 percent of the sun's
damaging rays.
- If
you have oily skin or are acne-prone, select a water-based lotion.
- More
expensive sunscreen is not better. Although a costly brand may feel or
smell better, it isn't necessarily more effective.
Babies
less than 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.