Oh, August! It is so very hot
and the water is calling our name! But as we all enjoy those Vitamin D-rich, sunny days by the pool, we must also protect ourselves from that tempting sunshine.
Those of us who like to spend time outside by water all know that it doesn’t take much to be overexposed to the sun. However, research continues to find more harmful, long-term effects of our sun’s rays. Here are a few tips to safely continue loving our pool and beach-loving hobbies (especially swimming).
- Look for SPF (sun protection factor) numbers on the labels of sunscreens. Select an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent sunburn and tanning, both of which are signs of skin damage. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays (usually labeled as a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen). Source:http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sunscreen.html
- For all-day outdoor affairs, bring along a wide umbrella or a pop-up tent to play in. If it’s not too hot outside and won’t make kids even more uncomfortable, have them wear light long-sleeved shirts and/or long pants. Source:http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sun-safety.html
- Surfaces such as sand or water reflect up to 85 percent of the sun’s damaging rays. It’s especially important to protect your skin and eyes around these surfaces.Source:https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/sun-safety-facts/
- Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Find shade under a tree, an umbrella, or the stroller canopy. Source:https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx
As everyone knows, I am passionate about all kinds of safety, so please make sure everyone you know has taken the water safety pledge on our site: https://britishswimschool.com/water-safety/. We have more than 1,915 pledges and want to see that number continue to climb!
And yes, August also indicates Back to School. But in our world, it’s Back to POOL!!! Ask your local pool about specials if you sign up this month for fall and winter lessons.
Lastly, we want to hear about your love for water. Were you once scared? Can you swim across the pool by yourself? Did you see a cool body of water this summer? Tell us about it! Visit https://britishswimschool.com/tales-of-wonder/ today.
As always, thank you for being part of the British Swim School family!
Best Regards,
Rita Goldberg
Founder & CEO