Healthy habits while enjoying fun in the sun

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By Haleigh Horton | UAB Community Health & Human Services Program Student

Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com

As we approach spring and then move into the summer, it is important to begin considering again our exposure to the sun. Did you know that the beautiful rays that we get from sunlight may also pose a risk to yours and your child’s skin? Focusing on children, it is important to learn how sunshine can affect your child’s skin and learn simple steps to protect them. From wearing protective clothing to using sunscreen, these practices can safeguard your family from harm and promote a healthier sunshine habits. Specific to southern United States, where the sun’s warmth is abundant, it’s vital to be aware of the potential risks posed to children’s delicate skin from harmful UV exposure. Extended sun exposure can lead to various health issues, particularly for children with sensitive skin. The risks go beyond sunburn, encompassing long-term consequences such as premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.

To protect children, proactive measures like wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours are important. Embracing sun protection practices ensures the enjoyment of the outdoors while minimizing potential harm to young skin, promoting a healthier future for our little ones. To turn these practices into habits, it is important to incorporate sun protection measures into your daily routine. Wearing protective clothing and adding sunscreen through daily when applying lotion not only reduce the risk of skin cancer, including severe forms like melanoma, but also prevent sunburn, signaling skin damage. Additionally, embracing sun protection promotes
overall skin health by maintaining moisture, preventing dryness, and minimizing premature aging. Sun protection is regarded has not only a benefit to ones long term health, but also is recognized as a part of one self-care regimen. Thusly, wearing wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves, becomes a proactive measure against harmful UV rays. Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (i.e., 30 SPF or higher) before outdoor activities (i.e., including school or extracurricular activities) offers an additional layer of defense. Seeking shade during peak sunlight hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., becomes a strategic choice to minimize direct sun exposure.

As parents in the South, protecting our children from sun exposure is vital. During spring and summer months, let’s remember to cover up, use the right sunscreen, and be
mindful of peak sunlight hours. Understanding the risks of skin cancer and premature aging highlights the importance of consistent sun protection. By prioritizing sun safety, we contribute to our children’s long-term wellbeing, shaping a healthier future. Let’s champion our kids health together, ensuring our children thrive while under the sun and foster a culture of skin health awareness. For more information about, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website on sun safety here. Do you have additional sun safe tips to share? If so, please share in the comments section here and/or share on a Facebook page @WilkinsonWellnessLab.

References

American Academy of Dermatology Association (n.d.). Sunscreen FAQs. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen

Raymond-Lezman, J. R., & Riskin, S. (2023). Attitudes, Behaviors, and Risks of Sun Protection to Prevent Skin Cancer Amongst Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Cureus, 15(2), e34934. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34934

Salvado, M., Fraga, A., Marques, D. L., Pires, I. M., Gonçalves, C. C., & Silva, N. M. (2021).
Sun Exposure in Pediatric Age: Perspective of Caregivers. Children (Basel, Switzerland),
8(11), 1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8111019

SickKids staff. (2024). What’s the best way to protect kids’ skin from sunburn?
HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/whats-the-best-way-toprotect-kids-skin-from-sunburn.aspx

Drowning Doesn’t Always Look Like Drowning!

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Amanda Benko | Intern UAB School of Education – CHHS

Photo by MarcTutorials on Pexels.com

Drowning Prevention – Kids under 10

Drowning is an extremely serious issue, especially for children under the age of ten. Every year, numerous lives are lost due to drowning situations that may have been avoided with adequate education and care. This article attempts to shed light on the significance of drowning prevention and how to recognize the subtle signs of drowning. By understanding these crucial points, we can take steps to ensure the safety of our young ones around water.

Drowning Prevention: Several significant precautions may be taken to reduce drownings in children. The first important step is to maintain regular supervision (Wickens et al., 2021). Never leave children unattended near water, regardless of its size or depth. Assigning a responsible adult to supervise children during aquatic activities is critical. Enrolling children in age-appropriate swimming instruction is another important preventative step (Guevarra et al., 2021). These classes teach young people important swimming techniques and increase their confidence in the water. However, it is crucial to realize that swimming instruction alone does not ensure safety. Pool barriers and safety precautions are also essential, particularly for households with pools. Install a security fence around the pool area, with the gate self-closing and latching. It establishes a physical barrier that restricts uncontrolled entry into the pool.

Drowning Does not Always Look like Drowning: Contrary to popular belief, drowning occurs without signs of frantic splashing and cries for help. Instead, a person drowning may be silently struggling to keep their head above water, gasping for air, with a distant look in their eyes and arms extended to the sides. Recognizing these modest indications is critical for early intervention and could make a major difference in saving lives. We can react to and avoid terrible situations in and around water if we recognize that drowning does not always look like what we anticipate.

Above all else, to ensure water safety this summer, make sure kids have a responsible adult present in the water. Also, make sure your children are wearing some form of floatation device, and get your child comfortable in the water to know to go somewhere safe or to a wall when they begin to feel tired or accidentally inhale in water. These are great ways to prevent tragedy in the water. What tips do you plan to use this summer to ensure water safety?

References

Guevarra, J. P., Peden, A. E., Orbillo, L. L., Uy, M. R. S. Z., Madrilejos, J. J. R., Go, J. J. L., … & Franklin, R. C. (2021). Preventing child drowning in the Philippines: the need to address the determinants of health. Children, 8(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8010029

Wickens, N., Wallace, R., Dare, J., Costello, L., Lo, J., & Nimmo, L. (2021). Mobile phone use and social interactions among caregivers can reduce their ability to provide constant supervision to children at Australian public swimming pools. Health promotion journal of Australia, 32, 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.445