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With the summer season in full swing and school being out – which means more youth outdoors – now is a good time to consider how to keep children safe while spending long periods of time in the sun.

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August is observed as Summer Sun Safety Month. So, now is a good time to learn how to stay safe while spending time in the sun and preventing sunburn, sun poisoning, skin cancer, or other heat-related ailments. 

Skin cancer is often caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays, which come from the sun, tanning beds, and ultralamps. UV rays are an invisible type of radiation that can cause damage to skin cells, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It is important to protect children from UV rays all year-round. The rays can reach individuals on cloudy days and can reflect off such surfaces as water, cement, sand, or snow.

There are a number of methods for keeping children safe while spending time outdoors on hot, sunny days. The CDC recommends:

• Making sure they spend time in the shade, especially when engaging in activities
• Encouraging the use of hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Not scheduling outdoor activities on days when the sun is strongest or the temperatures are especially high
• Providing breaks during outdoor activities to allow children to reapply sunscreen and drink water

More Resources

Additional tips on staying safe in the sun – but also tips on water safety, bug bites, and other topics – can be found in a 2023 brochure released by Allegheny County.

Below are some resources on how to protect children and yourself during Summer Sun Safety Month – and during all months when outdoor activity is prevalent. 

• CDC Shares Sun Safety Tips for Schools, Trying Together
• Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together
• Summer Safety Brochure, Allegheny County Health Department, Trying Together
• Reducing Risk for Skin Cancer, CDC
• Be Safe in the Sun, American Cancer Society
• Sun Protection, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
• Sun Protection Tips for Those with Black and Brown Skin, Boston University
• Sun Safety and Prevention, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey