Spring break  is a time for a family getaway and enjoy the  sun. However it is also important to protect your family while having fun .

Spring break safety tips.

Spring break safety tips from the American Academy of pediatrics are as follows.

Sun safety tips for babies

• babies below the age of 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight. Move your baby to a shade under a tree , use an umbrella or a stroller with canopy
• it is okay to apply a small amount of sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months if there is no way to avoid the sun. You have to remember that sunscreen takes  30 minutes to be effective

Sun safety tips for  kids

• choose cotton clothing which is both cool and protective
• use wide-brimmed hats that can protect the child’s cheek, chin, ears and back of the neck. You can also protect the child’s eye using sunglasses with ultraviolet protection
• apply sunscreen to areas of the child’s  body that is not covered by clothing . Test the sunscreen on the child’s back for any allergic reaction before applying it. You should also apply it carefully around the eyes , avoiding the eyelids
• contact your pediatrician if  a rash results from the sunscreen or the child gets sunburns which results in blistering , pain  or fever

Sun safety tips for families

• try to keep out of the sun from 10 am to 4 pm when the sun’s rays are  the strongest
• use sun protection even on cloudy days because the sun’s rays can go through the clouds
• when choosing sunscreen, look for broad spectrum on the label. This means the sunscreen will  protect your from  both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. You should also choose a water-resistant sun screen and reapply every 2 hours after swimming, sweating or drying yourself with a towel. You should also avoid  sunscreens  that  contains  the ingredient oxybenzone, a sunscreen chemical that may have hormonal properties.
• use a  sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15
• You can use zinc oxide which is an effective sun screen. This can be used for extra protection on the nose, cheeks, top of the ears  and on the shoulder
• put sunscreen on 15 to 20 minutes  before you go out. This is because it needs time to start working
• rub sunscreen in well and make sure to cover all exposed areas, especially the face, nose, ears, feet and hands, and even the backs of the knees.
• use sun screen for protection and not as a reason to stay in the sun longer

Dangers of a tanning salon

Many teen and young women go to the tanning salon. the UV rays from tanning salons raises a person risk of skin cancer especially melanoma ( the most dangerous form).

The American Academy of Pediatrics  AAP supports legislation prohibiting access to tanning salons or use of artificial tanning devices by children under 18 years of age.

Tips for the beach

• children and adults should not swim alone
• you should provide touch supervision. This means that an adult is within arm’s reach anytime your young child is in or near water.
• when you go to the beach, stay at the designated swim area and always be within the visibility of a life guard
• be aware of rip currents. If you get caught in a current, do not swim against it.  Swim parallel to the shore until you stay clear of the current
• seek shelter in case of a storm and  get off the beach in case of lightening