5 Summer Safety Tips for Kids Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog 5 Fun-In-The-Sun Safety Tips for Kids Jun 09, 2017 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post School's out, and you know what that means—fun in the sun! Before your kids run out the door, make sure they're geared up for summer fun and summer safety. Cedars-Sinai patient Gianna shows you how in this adorable video. Although Gianna's advice is sound, we also caught up with Cedars-Sinai physicians and asked about their tips for a healthy summer. Read: Everything You Need to Know About Bug Bites Sunscreen Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher and that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—which physically block the sun's ultraviolet rays—says Dr. Susan Rabizadeh, director of the Cedars-Sinai Division of Dermatology. "Plus they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction or irritate the skin," she continues. Apply the sunscreen every 2 hours if your kid is running around outside, and reapply immediately when they come out of the water. Don't forget to protect the ears, nose, lips, legs, and tops of the feet. Apply sunscreen even if it's cloudy. Susan M Rabizadeh MD MBA Dermatology Susan M Rabizadeh MD MBA Dermatology Accepting New Patients In-person Visits 310-385-3300 Accepting New Patients Call to Schedule Wear a hat and protective clothing Wearing a hat is especially important for younger children and infants because their skin is so sensitive. "For children the key is to wear broad-brimmed hats that cover the ears, face, and back of the neck," says Dr. Arthur Cho, a Cedars-Sinai pediatrician. Even if your kid has a hat on, make sure to apply sunscreen to the face and neck. In addition to a hat, clothing with a high ultraviolet protection factor protects kids if they're in direct sunlight, and tighter-knit fabric protects better against the sun. Arthur K Cho MD Pediatrics Arthur K Cho MD Pediatrics Accepting New Patients In-person Visits 310-423-4780 Accepting New Patients Call to Schedule Stay afloat Hanging out at the pool or beach is an obvious way to keep cool, but don't forget to be safe. Kids who do not know how or who struggle to swim should wear a personal flotation device. If it fits right, the child's ears and chin can't slip through. Children need adult supervision when they're in or near water. Dealing with sunburn If your little one does get a sunburn, apply aloe vera gel gently to the skin. The sun's UV rays are strongest from 10am to 2pm and are just as strong on cloudy and hazy days as they are on bright and sunny ones. "When you get a sunburn, your blood vessels dilate and you lose heat and water through your skin. That's why it's important to keep hydrated at all times," says Dr. Rabizadeh. Drink water—lots of it When it's hot outside, keeping hydrated is key. Drinking good old-fashioned H2O keeps kids cool, keeps the blood flowing, keeps the skin hydrated, and can prevent kids from passing out. "Even drink water when you're not thirsty," says Dr. Rabizadeh. Add some fresh fruit to water to make it more appealing to kids and stay away from juices and sports drinks as much as possible. "Summer is a time for kids and parents to have fun," says Dr. Rabizadeh. "By following these guidelines and tips we can ensure kids will be safe while having fun this summer." Get more summer safety tips to help your little ones have a fun and safe summer: Keeping Your Kids Safe This Summer: 4 Tips Tags Prevention Pediatrics Safety Children's Health Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility