Keeping Children Safe In The Sun:

—Bright sun means outdoor fun. Whether it’s tossing the ball around in the backyard or swinging on the monkey bars at the park, kids especially spend a lot of hours outside. In fact, according to a recent Lands’ End survey of 1,400 moms, over half said their families spend two to five hours outside every day. In order to make sure outdoor family fun stays “sun safe,” parents should consider the following tips:• Sunscreen + UPF Clothing = Protection—When kids head outside for a day of fun, it’s best to combine sunscreen with UV-protective clothing to keep them protected from head to toe. Using a broad-spectrum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 is a good way to prevent damaging sunburns. But sunscreen will only keep kids safe on the applied areas. Believe it or not, sunburns can still happen underneath clothes. A good way to prevent these types of sunburns is to make sure kids dress in Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)-treated clothes. Lands’ End recently introduced a collection of UPF clothing called Sun.Life. Wearing clothes with a rating of UPF 30 or 50 will block between 96.7 and 97.5 percent of the sun’s harmful rays from reaching sensitive skin.• Once isn’t enough—You should apply sunscreen to your kids 15-30 minutes before they head outside. However, as kids play, they sweat and their sunscreen wears off. It’s best to make sure to reapply it every two hours, even on cloudy days.• Timing is important—Avoid planning family time outdoors when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If kids are outside during this time, take extra precautions, try to avoid direct sunlight and seek protection with recommended sunscreen and UPF-rated clothing.• Wear a hat—The final thing kids should be equipped with when playing in direct sunlight is a hat. The survey found that more than 65 percent of respondents use sun hats to protect family members from sun rays. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a hat with a wide brim helps shade the neck, ears, eyes and head. A Sun.Life hat rated at UPF 30 offers the final piece of protection kids need for a fun, sun-safe time outside.