After a long spring of being cooped up indoors, everyone is itching to get outside and spend as much time there as possible. However, a few blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person’s lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer. Avoiding excessive UV exposure is the only sure way to prevent sunburn, but how can you resist a day of family fun at the beach or pool?

One way to protect your child from sunburn is by applying a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. This ensures your sunscreen protects against both harmful UVA and UVB rays. Protecting your child's skin right now is essential because it will impact their risk for cancer later in life.

Important reminder:

• If your infant is less than six months old, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping your baby out of the sun (and avoiding sunscreen if you can), as their skin is highly sensitive and has too little melanin, making them more susceptible to sun damage.
• If you must have your infant out in the sun, dress them in lightweight long sleeves and pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to protect them from head to toe.
• Once your child is 6 months old, make sure you apply SPF liberally whenever they’re spending time in the sun.