School is letting out for summer and kids are gearing up to spend lots of time in the sun. We want to make sure they are having fun, and staying safe, too! I spent a little time with the Eye Opener morning show on the CW to share some fun tips and producs to to keep your kids safe this summer.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Summer-Books—EyeOpe
For me, summer = sun. And while I love to spend an entire day at the pool, I am always concerned about making sure my family has the right sort of sun protection. Being sun safe is more than just applying some sunscreen before you head out the door to play. Its making sure you are using the right sunscreen and wearing the right protective clothing.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”EyeOpener-Swim-Segment”]
This post {Avoiding The Summer Sunburn} is full of really helpful sunscreen information. In a nutshell, moms should look for a sunscreen with an SPF 30-50 with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Extended exposure to UVA light causes skin cancer and premature aging. Blocking UVA is so much more important than blocking UVB. So look for a sunscreen with broad spectrum UVB/UVA protection. SPF 30-50 should be what you are looking for and anything over 50 just means 50.
Look for mineral based sunscreens that will reflect the sun’s harmful rays. Mineral sunscreens can be found at almost every price point and offer the best protection from the sun. Here are a few I really like:
- Kiss My Face Kids Mineral Sunscreen SPF30
- Babyganics Mineral Based Sunscreen SPF50
- Honest Co. Mineral Sunscreen SPF50
Protective Clothing
Protective clothing is a great way to protect you and your family from the sun. Did you know that the UPF of a plain white t-shirt is only 10, ten!! And its even less when it gets wet. Look for clothing and hats with a UPF factor built in. UPF clothing has become really popular and can be found at many major retailers. While I was with the CW, I showed some great options for hats, rash guards and clothing (including the most adorable Prodoh UPF dress) that can all be found at St. Bernard stores in Dallas, Austin and Houston or at StBernard.com.
Bug Safety
With all the concerns of Zika and West Nile, moms are probably looking to find the best bug protection for their families this year. Both of my girls get huge welts if they get a mosquito bite and my pediatrician recommended a bug spray with a 7% DEET solution. I have read about a million “natural” alternatives, however, DEET is proven effective and my pediatrician gave it the stamp of approval! I use OFF! Family Care Unscented. Just make sure to wash it off at the end of the day, and wash hands before handling food if you’ve applied a DEET bug repellant.
Covering up with light clothing is also a very effective way to protect your skin. If you are going to be out around sunset, when the mosquitoes really like to cause trouble, consider light layers to keep your skin covered.
I like to keep a small ‘summer’ bag in my purse with sunscreen, a travel sized bug spray as well as itch relief and band-aids, just incase!
Fun Summer Products
Fun at the pool: I love the Puddle Jumper for younger children and beginner swimmers. You can find these at major retailers like Target and Wal-Mart and also online at Amazon.com. They come in a bunch of fun colors. The Puddle Jumper allows my girls to play safely in the water and enjoy the pool. 
Staying cool in the car: what can you do in the car to keep your kids safe in the summer heat? Well, first of all, never ever leave them unattended in the car. Summer can get HOT in the backseat for little ones. Last summer my youngest was still rear facing and the AC vents in my car didn’t reach her. When I would pull her out of her seat, she was a sweaty mess. I didn’t want to flip her forward, but I really wanted to keep her cool and comfortable. I used this product called The Noggle. It attaches to the AC vents in the front or back seat and can provide some cold air relief to hot little ones.
