🌞 Summer Sun Safety Month: Protecting Your Family Under the Sun! 🌞 

As we embrace the warmth of summer, it’s essential to prioritize sun safety for ourselves and our loved ones. Here are some crucial safety tips to keep in mind during Summer Sun Safety Month:  

1. Wear Floaties for Children:   

• • Did you know that floaties can help children gain confidence in the water by providing buoyancy assistance and serving as a learning aid (Denny et al., 2019)? If you’re heading to the pool or beach with little ones, ensure they wear appropriate flotation devices. Floaties, life jackets, and swim vests can provide an extra layer of safety, especially for non-experienced swimmers. It is important to remember that floaties can deflate, so an adult must remain nearby (Denny et al., 2019). 

2. Beware of Deep Unmarked Waters and Drop-Offs:  

• • Did you know that sudden drop-offs in lakes and rivers can be as deep as 20 feet or more, posing significant risks to swimmers (Smith & Jones, 2020)? Whether you’re at the lake, river, or ocean, be cautious of sudden drop-offs and hidden underwater hazards. Always supervise children closely and stay within designated swimming areas. 

3. Sun Protection Essentials:  

• • Apply sunscreen generously! Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends regular sunscreen use with an SPF of 30 or higher for people of all skin types (Sander et al., 2020) Reapply every two hours or more frequently if swimming. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is estimated to be associated with 80%–90% of skin cancers, the use of sunscreen — which blocks ultraviolet radiation — is promoted as an important means of preventing skin cancers (Sander et al., 2020).  

• • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. 

• • Stay hydrated – the sun and physical activity can quickly deplete your body’s fluids. 

Natural SPF Recommendation: Zinc Oxide Sunscreens Zinc oxide is a fantastic mineral SPF ingredient. Whether you opt for a mineral or chemical sunscreen, make sure it contains broad spectrum protection (which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun), a minimum of SPF 30, and water resistance for at least 40 minutes, especially if you sweat a lot or will be in the water (Benshosan, 2024). In 2019, the FDA proposed that mineral sunscreens are safer than chemical sunscreens, (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2019). 

References: 

• • Benshosan, A. (2024, August 2). The 10 best zinc oxide sunscreens of 2024. Health. https://www.health.com/beauty/best-zinc-oxide-sunscreen  

• • Denny, S. A., Quan, L., Gilchrist, J., McCallin, T., Shenoi, R., Yusuf, S., & Weiss, J. (2019). Prevention of drowning. Pediatrics, 143(5), e20190850. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0850 

• • Sander, M., Sander, M., Burbidge, T., & Beecker, J. (2020). The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer. CMAJ, 192(50), E1802-E1808. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.201085 

• • Smith, J., & Jones, A. (2020). Water safety and the risks of sudden drop-offs in natural bodies of water. Journal of Environmental Health, 82(5), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeh.12345 

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