My kids spend a lot of time outside during the summer.
What can I do to keep them from getting sunburned?

Dress them in protective clothing, reduce the number of hours of sun exposure they receive and apply sunscreen — these are the three key ingredients to protecting against sunburn, according to Joan Tamburro, MD, pediatric dermatologist at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

Protective clothing: Tightly woven cotton clothing and lightweight fabrics are best. Special sun protective clothing, also known as SPF clothing, is available at sporting goods stores, online and from direct merchants like Lands’ End. “I recommend protective clothing for children who are out in the sun for long periods of time,” says Dr. Tamburro.

Hours of exposure: It’s important to consider what time of day your children are venturing outside. “The worst time of day to be outside is between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Dr. Tamburro says. “Also, your child really shouldn’t spend more than eight hours total in the sun a day.” Playing outside earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon would be ideal.

Sunscreen: “An SPF of 30 and above that providesbroad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection is best,” says Dr. Tamburro. Also, be sure to reapply sunscreen every two to three hours if your child is swimming or participating in an activity where they sweat. Dr. Tamburro also suggests that parents remind their teens of proper sun safety. “It’s best to skip the tanning bed and put some energy into skin care protection,” says Dr. Tamburro.