Posted on 03/18/2023
As the days grow longer, we all look forward to sunny days ahead. While we often think of protecting our kids against sunburns on hot summer days, even cloudy days can put them at risk. Let's take a few minutes to consider a few commonly held misconceptions about the dangers of exposure to the sun's rays as well as some kid-friendly resources to help keep them protected.
Cloudy Days
While the effects of a sunburn are certainly obvious and unpleasant, harmful exposure to UVA and UVB rays doesn't always produce such an obvious result. In fact, on cloudy days, up to 75% more of the sun's radiation can potentially reach your skin. How is that possible? While clouds may block visible light from the sun, they often fail to block UV rays; instead, cumulus clouds often reflect the rays, making them even more powerful by the time they arrive at the earth's surface. So while you might not feel warmth or see brightness from the sun, be aware that you can still be exposed to its harmful rays.
Since we're less likely to protect ourselves — and our kids — against those rays on cloudy or even rainy days, we may be in even greater danger of exposure on those days.
Peak Hours
Regardless of the brightness and temperature on any given day, the hours of peak sun intensity provide the greatest amount of risk. As the sun appears higher in the sky, its rays become more intense, since they travel shorter distances to the earth's surface. By avoiding exposure during the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (standard time), you can greatly reduce your child's exposure to potential harm. If you can't avoid outdoor activities during those hours, there are other ways to offer protection.
Helpful Shade
Thankfully, there are many ways to protect our kids from harmful rays without staying indoors all the time! One way to protect them is by providing quality shade. Did you know that not all shade provides the same level of protection? The quality of shade provided depends on a few different variables:
1. Size of the object creating shade
2. Amount of sunlight that can penetrate that object
3. Position of the object as it relates to the sun's position
As you choose your outdoor adventures, select parks and other areas with adequate shade and consider purchasing portable items that provide shade (i.e. tents and umbrellas). If you have your own outdoor space, consider planting trees or adding building structures to provide added shade. If you have a swing set or another area where your children like to play, you'll want to position a shade tree on the south and west side of that area.
In addition to shade, you can protect your children by dressing them appropriately, whenever they're outside. For our top picks, check out Part 3. To understand more about risk factors for Melanoma, check out Part 2.
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