Safer Child Products

June 20, 2011

We all know that we need to wear sunscreen to protect ourselves and our children from the harmful rays of the sun that can cause sunburns and cancer, but do you know that eyes can get a sunburn too?  It is called Photokeratitis and according to Simon Eye Associates and the American Optometric Association, this causes “painful symptoms such as red eye, gritty feeling in the eye, excessive tearing and extreme sensitivity to light.” 

There are harmful long term effects as well such as cataracts and macular degeneration, so protect your own and your child’s vision by using sunglasses that block out as close to 100% of of both UV-A AND UV-B radiation as you can find and sceen out “75 –90% of visible light.”  Also, be sure that the glasses do not distort your vision.

Encourage your children to wear their sunglasses when they are playing outside, at the beach or pool, and even when playing sports.  A hat is helpful, but is not enough to protect your eyes from the harmful rays.

www.visioncenter4kids.com has additional tips and facts about protecting your children’s eyes from Sun Damage. They explained that children’s eyes have “larger pupils and clearer lenses, so when spending time outdoors, a child will receive 3x the UV ray exposure as an adult.”

Set a good example for your children and wear your sunglasses!  Good quality sunglasses do not have to be expensive!

Safer Child Products

It’s that time of year when we spend more time outside enjoying the weather and working in the garden.  We encourage our children to go outside and play.  These are wonderful ways to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine of spring and summer.  We get essential Vitamin D from the sun, but don’t forget the sunscreen!

May is skin cancer awareness month.  At http://www.sunsafetyforkids.org/  they reinforce “Block the Sun, Not the Fun!” They have started a national sun safety day called “Don’t Fry Day”.  This is observed each year the Friday before Memorial Day (May 27, 2011). 

Even though it is still early in the season, we need to add sun protection to the list of morning chores before we send our children out the door.  UVA and UVB rays can be damaging not only to the skin, but to the eyes as well.  Make sure you put sunscreen with at least SPF 15 on your child’s face, ears, and back of neck, in addition to arms and legs if they are exposed.   Buy a lip balm with SPF in it and encourage your children to wear a hat and sunglasses (with 100% UV protection)!  Let them help you pick it out so that it is something they will want to wear. I just told my kids this am that they did not need their sunglasses today because it is cloudy, but the sun’s rays can penetrate the clouds and even on cool breezy days, they could be burned. 

The sun’s rays are strongest during mid-day, so try to stay out of direct sunlight.  If you are on the beach, rent an umbrella and have your kids play underneath it.  If you are at the park, find a big shady tree to sit under.  Make sure you re-apply your child’s sunscreen every 2 hours, or more if they have been sweating or swimming.

Even darker skinned children need sun protection. Their skin can burn also. 

According to http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/children.htm  “Just a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skincancer later in life.” Sunglasses help protect your child’s eyes from UV rays which can lead to cataracts later in life.”

The aforementioned sites have additional information on sun safety and what to do if your child gets burned.  Be smart this summer and “Block the Sun, Not the Fun!”  Protect yourself and protect your children!