Summer is finally here!
It’s time for fun in the sun and all of our favorite activities.
Summer is definitely my favorite time of the year, but I’ve had a bad sunburn or two in my life, and it’s something I really regret.
Some studies have shown that getting 5 sunburns can more than double your chances of developing melanoma later in life.
Obviously, it’s very important to stay safe from the sun, especially for our young children who are much more susceptible to sunburns!
There are other things to be concerned about when it comes to safety this summer too. Here are my tips on keeping your children as safe as possible.
Use Sunblock Liberally
If you go outside with your kids, you should keep them protected with a kid-safe sunblock at all times.
Go for a sunblock that’s a physical (sometimes called mineral) sunblock as opposed to a chemical sunblock. Mineral sunblocks block both UVA and UVB rays physically, by reflecting the rays from your skin. It’s the safest, best type of sunscreen.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, have to be absorbed into the skin in order to be effective, and they can contain some nasty stuff.
Ideally, get one that’s both water-resistant and at least SPF30. Some people will recommend to stick with SPF30, saying that anything more than that gives diminishing returns, but I disagree. Go with whatever is the highest SPF sunscreen you can find.
Don’t forget to reapply it every few hours, and don’t miss any spots!
Ideally, get one that has no added fragrances or chemicals. This is super important, especially when you’re putting it on a baby’s sensitive skin.
Wear Sun-Protective Clothing
Sun-protective clothes are the best way to stay safe from the sun!
A wide-brimmed hat is not only cute, but does wonders for keeping the sun’s harmful rays off of the face and neck. Along with that, long-sleeved shirts and long pants are ideal.
Sure, they may not be as cool and comfortable to wear in the hot winter months, but exposed skin is just asking for a sunburn, especially for a young child.
If you’re pushing them around in a stroller, having a sun shade is a really good idea, and you can buy them pretty cheaply on the internet.
Keep Protected From Insects
Some biting insects, like mosquitoes and ticks, can transfer deadly diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Needless to say, this is some scary stuff.
It’s crucial to make sure your kids don’t get bitten, and the best way to do that is with a good, natural and chemical-free bug repellent for babies. Most commercial repellents have a chemical called DEET. It’s certainly effective, but the jury is out on whether or not it’s harmful to the human body over time.
Because of this, I recommend getting only natural, DEET-free insect sprays. There are several good ones available, and you’d be surprised at how well they work!
A lot of people are skeptical, but they truly do work almost as well as the chemical-filled sprays you’ll find at most stores. Give them a shot!
Even at best, bug bites can be very irritating, especially to a young child, so it’s best to avoid it if at all possible!
Keep Them Well-Hydrated
Heat exhaustion is a real thing, and young kids are very susceptible to it.
When you’re out for a day of fun, be sure to pack plenty of fluids. Water and juice are great choices, and you can just throw them in an insulated cooler bag.
If your child is breastfeeding, your milk is really all they need. It’s sufficient to keep them hydrated enough, and it’s not safe to give a young baby water or juice, so don’t worry about that.
If things get too hot and overwhelming, pick a nice spot in the shade to sit down on and cool off with a nice drink.
Just Have Fun
Summer is such a fun time, and staying safe isn’t very hard if you know what to look out for. As long as you follow these simple steps, you’ll be fine, and you’re sure to have an awesome, fun summer.
This is a guest post by Jennifer Taylor of www.momtricks.com.