We all love to see our kids living in the sunshine. It's good for them to play and exercise, get some fresh air and catch some sunshine, so their bodies can make vitamin D. But too much sun exposure can be dangerous. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your kids skin in as little as 15 minutes, even on cloudy or overcast days. With childhood sunburns being the leader in causing skin cancer later in life, we need to ensure our kids are protected from the sun's harmful rays. It doesn't matter if you're heading off for a summer vacation on a sunny beach abroad or you are sticking close to home. UV-protection is absolutely essential whenever your little bandits are out and about.

UV protection is essential

The best way to enjoy the sun safely and protect your little bandit's skin from the sun's harmful UV rays is to use a combination of shade, sunscreen and clothing. Normal summer clothing does not offer adequate protection as the UPF factor of a cotton shirt is around 10, and just 3 if it's wet. Using sunscreen is wise, but it's not always the most practical option, especially for your little wild child.

Particularly at the beach and in and on the water, UV protection is absolutely essential. After all, it doesn't need to be a hot and sunny day for their skin to suffer damage from the sun. Just because it look cloudy, doesn't mean your little bandits can't burn. An overcast sky doesn't block UV rays, while the sand on the beach can reflect the light back up to their skin and increase their exposure. Similarly, water will also reflect UV radiation.