Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/ask-dr.-sue-becoming-a-sun-safe-child-care-center/5012669/
Skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Since children spend so many daytime hours in child care, child care providers can prevent skin cancer directly. By modeling sun-safe practices, child care contributes significantly to parent education, too. As few as two severe blistering sunburns before age 20 may double the risk of developing melanoma later in life. Accumulated lifetime sun exposure causes skin cancer, too. The more time you spend in the sun, the more you damage your skin. The majority of lifetime sun exposure occurs in childhood. Sun protection includes limiting time in the sun, staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen. These sun safety practices can be simple, convenient, and inexpensive.Become a Sun-Safe Child Care Center
Directors, teachers, parents, and children can follow four simple steps for sun safety: assess sun safety practices at the center, develop sun safety policies, communicate the policies, and implement them.
1 Assess Sun Safety
What does your child care center do to reduce ultraviolet radiation exposure of children and staff? You can use the assessment questionnaire in the AMC Cancer Research Center's Sunny Days, Healthy Ways Sun-Safe School Guide, or look at use of protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, shade, ...