Sun Safety is so important, especially in the coming months as the sun’s rays become stronger and more penetrating. Sunstroke (also known as Heatstroke) can happen to anyone. With all the right ingredients– direct/prolonged sunlight exposure, dehydration (not enough water), little to no protection from sun, and your body can shut down without much warning. When RVing, it is wise to always have a wide brim hat handy (for each person) and sunblock safely stowed away somewhere convenient to pull out quickly when needed.
Sunblock: The spray kind is convenient for kids (who don’t stand still for long) and the sticks can be fun for the kids to put on their own faces. The ideal time to apply sunscreen is about 20 minutes before sun exposure and immediately following any swimming and/or sweating. This provides for the best coverage and will hopefully keep your skin safe from becoming sunburned. Another quick tip to remember, since many people forget these areas, is to apply sunblock to tops of hands and feet as well as to the backs of ears.
Keep the Kids Safe from the sun’s harmful rays with a hat, sunblock and swimwear that has an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+. A great secondary use for this type of swimwear, is to wear your UPF swimwear for other fun outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing, when you will be out for prolonged periods of time in the sun. For infants under the age of six months, whom sunblock use is not recommended for, it’s especially important to ensure they are under an umbrella, have a hat and are covered with a light cotton, breathable blanket (especially if the previous two items are not available).
If a Sunburn does occur, it is advisable to spread Aloe Vera (ideally straight from the plant or it can be bought at any drug store) liberally over sunburned skin. Don’t rub it in all the way, instead allow the skin to soak it up slowly and then reapply often. Also cool compresses can be helpful if the skin feels as though it is on fire. Wear breathable clothing and avoid more sun exposure.
Follow these simple rules for sun safety: Avoid the dangers of sun stroke, Always remember to bring sun block and a hat while on the road, and Keep kids safe from too much sun exposure. Happy Camping in the Sun!