Page 33 - 2018_Healthy LEAP_Coaches Guide_Elementary

Sun Safety

Why is sun safety important?
If you don’t protect your skin in the sun or you
are in the sun too long, you can get a sunburn
or lose fluid your body needs to work its best!

What does a sunburn look and feel like?
• A sunburn turns skin red
• A sunburn hurts
• Sometimes a sunburn causes skin to
blister

How does your body lose fluid in the sun?
• When it is hot outside and you are
active your body produces sweat
• Sweating helps to cool your body down
• When you sweat your body loses fluids
• You need to drink plenty of water to
replace the fluid your body loses when
you sweat

What is dehydration?
• When your body loses more fluid than
you take in when you drink and eat
• If you feel weak, tired, thirsty, dizzy or
just don’t feel right tell your coach or
parent right away!

What precautions should you take if you
will be spending time in the sun?
Wear sunscreen
• Always put sunscreen on all areas of
your skin that will be exposed to the
sun
• You will see a number on every
sunscreen bottle that says SPF
• SPF stands for sun protection factor
• The higher the SPF number the more
it will protect your skin from the sun’s
rays
• You should use a sunscreen that has an
SPF of 15 or higher
• Be careful not to get sunscreen in your
eyes, it can sting!
• Younger kids should have a parent/
guardian help them apply sunscreen
• Ask a parent/guardian to help you
apply sunscreen to skin that will be
exposed to the sun that is hard to
reach like your back
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