Washington, D.C. – Everyone needs some sun exposure; it’s our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. It doesn’t take long for most people to get the vitamin D they need.
Too much exposure to the sun’s rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, and immune system suppression.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC-d9ZsnLds&[/youtube] [1]
During the summer, kids can rack up a lot of time outdoors in the sun, so it is especially important to teach kids good sun safety habits.
Sunscreen is a good way to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and with “broad spectrum protection” on the label.
Sunscreens won’t protect your kids completely. Teach your kids these SunWise Kids Tips [2] for extra protection. Here is a fun game [3] (flash required) kids can play to teach them about sun safety.