I am a sun protection fanatic. So...here's my once a year speech. Sun can be dangerous, malignant melanoma runs in my family. Here are some facts: We get most of our lifetime sun exposure before age 18. As few as one severe sunburn before the age of 18 may double the risk of developing melanoma (a type of skin cancer) later in life. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and is one of the fastest rising cancers. Skin cancer can be prevented.

So...here's what we do. STAY out of the sun from 11-3. Wear sunscreen (that is not expired or more than 1 yr old) with an SPF of at least 25 (and there's lots of arguing if it does any good to go over 35). COVER UP!...this means hats hats hats and loose light clothing and sunsuits instead of bathing suits. Here's some links for sun suits:

Here's more info:

1. UV reflection from sand, water, pavement, cement and snow doubles the amount of ultraviolet exposure.

2. Check your local paper or radio station daily for the UV index. The higher the number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

3. Protect children by limiting their sun exposure and applying sunscreen to children 6 months and older.

4. Stay out of the sun between 10am and 3pm, when the sun's rays are strongest.

5. Wear a sunscreen with a minimun of 15 SPF, even on cloudy days.

6. Wear sunscreen under your clothing; a standard T-shirt only provides SPF protection of 6 to 8.

7. Apply suncreen at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, expecially during exercise or swimming.

8. Be sure your sunglasses have UVA and UVB protections, which should filter at least 80% of the sun's rays.

9. Sunscreen is only a part of a good program, whch includes a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt and pants.

10. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your lips and ears!!

THE RESPONSES:

• I have a question. Why does it say to use sun screen for children 6 mo and older? Is there a risk involved with using it in younger children? I just bought some yesterday for my 7 mo old, but I didn't buy a baby or child brand. Could there be something in it that could harm her?

• It is the company's way of saying no baby should be exposed to the sun before six months. If all sunscreens say "not to be used on infants under 6 mo," the assumption is that parents will keep their babes in. The sunscreen itself is fine though, as far as I know, for wee ones, though some are milder in ingredients (while providing the same amount of protection).

• On a related note, what sunscreen is good for babies? All I can find is that Water Babies crap around here and I'd like to get something better.

• We've just found sunscreen sticks which seem to work much better for faces and backs of hands. My DD reacts pretty badly (allergic-type tears and redness) when sunscreen drips into her eyes via sweat or from wiping her face with her hands, but these sunscreen sticks (like a deoderant stick) seem to make it not quite so runny - we haven't seen any allergic reaction since we switched. (We still use regular cream stuff on her body, since it is less expensive).

  Honestly, I think the best solution, depending on climate, is lightweight clothing with good coverage. When we took DD to the beach in FL, she wore a hooded, lightweight, long-sleeved, ankle-length dress, and it greatly reduced my worry. We were so proud - not one of us got even the slightest tan that week.