by Bobby Coles

Created on: April 02, 2010   Last Updated: May 02, 2012

Children love to play outdoors. Protecting your child from the harmful effects of the sun's rays is of prime importance. Sunscreen is vital whenever you or your child is outdoors, as this can help to prevent sunburn. Aside from sunscreen, there are many other ways that a parent can help to protect a child from the sun, such as avoiding being outside during the hottest parts of the day, and wearing the proper attire.

Protecting a child from the sun also may involve ensuring that they are properly hydrated. Children can become dehydrated from the sun much more quickly than can an adult. The loss of body fluids can be easily remedied by making certain that they have a drink on a regular basis. Replenishing lost body fluids is as simple as having a water bottle handy.

The sun can have long lasting effects, such as cancer, so it is not just sunburn that you need to protect your child from when they are outdoors. Skin cancer has been linked to severe sunburns and unprotected exposure to the sun. Parents need to set a good example with sunscreen. Many parents seem to avoid sunscreen in order to get a tan, but your children need to see you setting the proper examples.

Preventing sunburn involves staying out of the direct sunlight, especially when the sun is directly overhead, typically between noon and three o'clock in the afternoon. Children should be dressed in light coloured clothing, and the majority of their skin should be shielded from the sun. During the day, try and seek shade as a form of refuge from the debilitating rays of the sun. Play in either the front or backyard of your house, depending on which portion of your house is currently underneath some shade.

As well as wearing light coloured clothing, children can be protected from the sun by donning hats, sunglasses, and shoes. Prior to their going outside, take the necessary steps to apply lotion well before they set foot outdoors. This can be done at least ten minutes before they go outside, so that the sunscreen has a chance to settle in to the skin. Do not leave any part of their body without sunscreen, which includes the nose and the ears, which are often forgotten.

The sunscreen that you use to protect your child from the sun should be at least an SPF 15. This sunscreen should also ideally be waterproof. Whenever your child goes into a pool or other body of water, sunscreen should be applied immediately once they get out. During swimming, or regular play outside, make sure to re-apply sunscreen every couple of hours to ensure that your child's skin has a fighting chance.

Sunburns still happen from time to time, even if you take all of the necessary precautions. When they do occur, make sure to soothe any skin irritations and blisters with a cool bath. Consult your family physician if it is a bad burn, or if you are uncertain. Do not let your child go back outside until their burn has healed. A doctor may advise you to give your child some pain relief via acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or Tempra.

The body needs time to heal after the skin has been burned. Protecting your child from the sun involves having a good understanding of the damaging effects of the sun. Once you are sufficiently sun educated, take all of the precautions seriously, but also remember to have fun. The sun provides Vitamin D, which we need, so the sun should not be avoided. Like with all fun things, being out in the sun should be done in moderation.

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