Sun Safety Tips for Families

Photo of a woman and her children wearing hats and long sleeved shirts

Some ways to stay sun-safe outdoors include wearing sun protection gear like a hat with a wide brim an sunglasses to protect you face and eyes, and wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants or a long skirt for additional protection when possible.

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Nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year in the United States. Skin cancer can be serious, expensive, and sometimes even deadly. Fortunately, most skin cancers can be prevented.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays—from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds—are known to cause skin cancer.
Damage from exposure to UV rays builds up over time, so sun protection should start at an early age.

Protect your family and yourself from skin cancer!

Stay Sun-Safe Outdoors

Seek shade, especially during midday hours. This includes 10 am to 4 pm, March through October, and 9 am to 3 pm, November through February. Umbrellas, trees, or other shelters can provide relief from the sun.
Be extra careful around surfaces that reflect the sun’s rays, like snow, sand, water, and concrete.
Wear sun protection gear like a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes.
Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye problems. Wrap-around sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection by blocking UV rays from the side.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants or a long skirt for additional protection when possible. If that’s not practical, try wearing a T-shirt or a beach cover-up.
Apply a thick layer of broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher at least 15 minutes before going outside, even on cloudy or overcast days. Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.