Summer-proof your kids

Sun protection

Health Canada now recommends children stay out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Since this is often impossible, the next best thing is a broad-spectrum sunscreen offering protection from both UVA and UVB rays. (UVA are long-wavelength rays that deeply penetrate the skin, causing aging, wrinkling and possibly cancer. UVB are medium-wavelength rays that tan or burn the superficial skin layers.)

When you’re buying, beware of cheaper, still-unregulated U.S. brands that are a cocktail of toxic chemicals. Since 1997, the only chemical allowed in Canadian sunscreens is Parsol 1789 (avobenzone), but the safest brands use either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These protective ingredients are mineral- not chemical-based, so they don’t irritate the skin and appear to have no side effects. Weleda and Aubrey Organics both offer an excellent line of natural sunscreens.

When you’re choosing a sunscreen at the drug store, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the selection. Choosing the right sunscreen can be difficult and there are lots of things to keep in mind. For a closer look at which products are good for both you and the planet, check out the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep cosmetic safety database, which rates sunscreens based on a few important factors, including their effectiveness and the safety of ingredients.

Cover up

Don’t let sunscreen lull you into a false sense of security. Most kids slap on too little, forget certain spots and don’t reapply often enough. Covering up is still the best protection. Long sleeves and pants are impractical on steamy summer days, but SPF (sun protection factor) clothing is a good compromise. Created in Australia, these hats, shorts, T-shirts and one-piece swimsuits are made from a lightweight, quick-drying polyester that blocks up to 97 percent of UV rays. Few retail stores carry them, so you’ll have to shop online for brands such as Radicool, Solartex Sun Gear and Sun Safe.

Finding a hat that your child will actually wear is a challenge. The dorky-looking flap hat — a baseball cap with a flap extending over the ears and covering the neck is popular with parents but not with many kids. For toddlers, try the 100 percent cotton Top Notch Toppers made by Tilley Endurables, reversible hats with a wide brim. Older kids will like School Sun Hats’ Aussie-outback style, with a seven centimetre brim.

Eyes also need protection, but price has nothing to do with quality. Just look for sunglasses with a UV 400 label (97 percent UVA/UVB protection) and choose shatter-resistant lenses made from polycarbonate plastic. Baby Banz has a great selection for the younger set, while Mountain Equipment Co-op has cool, wrap-around shades for older kids.

And try not to get too stressed out about sunshine. Moderate, unprotected exposure to UV rays (from 10 to 15 minutes a day) is actually good, since it helps generate vitamin D, which strengthens bones, muscles and our immune system, and, ironically, helps prevent the growth of cancerous tumours. Sunshine also regulates serotonin and tryptamine levels, the neurotransmitters responsible for moods and body temperature.

Bug spray

The fast approach of summer has many of us reaching for mosquito repellants that include DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), but this chemical protection can come at a high physical price. Children are especially susceptible to DEET’s adverse side effects, which can range from rashes and headaches to mood changes and difficulty breathing. Try bug sprays that use essential oils like lemongrass, tea tree and rosemary. They are not as long-lasting as chemical repellants, so your child will have to reapply them more frequently and also spray clothes and hats, but they have no side effects. Well-known brands include Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellant, Bite Blocker and Buzz Away. And make sure you or the camp councillor keep the kids indoors or well covered up during the mosquito hours (dawn and dusk) and in wooded areas. Environmental Defence has created a comprehensive guide to insect repellants that will help you figure out which bug sprays work best for you and your family.