Play it 

Safe in 

the Sun 

A guide for parents 

Choose Your Cover 

Too Much Sun Hurts 


Did you know that just a few serious sunburns 

can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer 

later in life? Kids don’t have to be at the pool, 

beach or on vacation to get too much sun. 

Their skin needs protection from the sun’s 

harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they’re 

outdoors. 

Turning pink? Unprotected skin can be damaged by the 

sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take 

up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun 

exposure. So, if your child’s skin looks “a little pink” 

today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To 

prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun. 

Tan? There’s no other way to say it: tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child’s skin 

after time outside – whether sunburn or suntan – indicates damage from UV rays. 

Cool and cloudy? Children still need protection. UV 

rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do 

not block UV rays, they filter them – and sometimes 

only slightly. 

Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are 

outdoors unprotected for longer than expected. 

Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection 

handy – in your car, bag or child’s backpack. 

Parents, help your children to play it safe, and protect 

your own skin as well. You’re an important role model. 

Choose Your Cover 


www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover 


For more information about protecting your family from skin cancer, contact: 

•

•

•

The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information 

Service at 1-800-4-CANCER for information about 

all cancers, including skin cancer. 

CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control 

at 1-888-842-6355 for recorded information or to 

order Choose Your Cover materials or posters. 

Our Web site at www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover 

When you play it safe, you’re playing it smart. 

CDC Publication #099-6044 Printed June 1999. Revised June 2000. 
 

 

Choose Y Choose Your Cover



H ey Moms and Dads! Not all sun 

protection comes in a bottle. There 

are lots of ways to protect your child’s 

skin all year long. Here are five you can try. 

1. Hide and Seek. UV rays are 

strongest and most harmful 

during midday, so it’s best to plan 

indoor activities then. If this is not 

possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella 

or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent 

sunburn, not to seek relief once it’s happened. 

2.Cover ‘em Up. Clothing that covers your 

child’s skin helps protect against UV rays. 

Although a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with 

a tight weave are best, they aren’t always 

practical. AT-shirt, long shorts or a 

beach cover-up are good choices, too – 

but it’s wise to double up on protection by 

applying sunscreen or keeping your child in 

the shade when possible. 

3.Get a Hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, 

ears and neck are easy to use and give 

great protection. Baseball caps are popular 

among kids but they don’t protect their ears and 

neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to 

tect exposed areas with sunscreen. 

4.Shades Are Cool. 

And they protect your 

child’s eyes from UV rays, which can lead 

to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses 

that wrap around and block as close to 100% of 

both UVA and UVB rays as possible. 

5.Rub on Sunscreen. Use sunscreen with 


at least SPF 15 and UVA/UVB pro­


tection every time your child goes out­


side. 


pro-

—

Warning: 

Even a few serious 

sunburns can 

increase your child’s 

risk of getting 

skin cancer. 

Sunscreen Scoop Sunscreen Scoop playing

Sunscreen may be easy, but it doesn’t protect 

your child’s skin completely. Try combining 

sunscreen with other “ChooseYour Cover” 

options to prevent UV damage. 

Sunscreen comes in a variety of forms – lotions, 

sprays, wipes or gels. Be sure to choose one 

made especially for kids with: 

• Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher 

• both UVA and UVB protection

For most effective protection, apply sunscreen 

generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. 

And, don’t forget to protect ears, noses, lips and 

the tops of feet which often go unprotected. 

Take sunscreen with you to reapply during the 

day, especially after your child swims or 

exercises. This applies to “waterproof” and 

“water resistant” products as well. 

Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow 

your kids to spend more time in the sun than they 

would otherwise. Sunscreen reduces 

damage from UV radiation, it doesn’t eliminate it. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics now advises 

that sunscreen use on babies less than 6 months 

old is not harmful on small areas of a baby’s skin, 

such as the face and back of the hands. But your 

baby’s best defense against sunburn is avoiding 

the sun or staying in the shade. 

Protect the Skin They’re In