Have you ever wondered why your kids (and you) should wear sun-protective clothing (UPF)?
Since 1880, the annual global land and ocean temperature has increased at an average rate of +0.14℉ per decade, and that average is steadily increasing. Global warming influences ozone depletion and increases the amount of UV radiation from the sun that reaches Earth’s surface. Simply put, we are being exposed to ever-increasing levels of UV radiation which, in turn, increases our risk of skin cancer. From 1994 to 2014, the diagnosis and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers in the United States increased by 77%, with about 90% caused by exposure to UV radiation. Babies and children are particularly vulnerable to sun exposure, because their skin contains less melanin, which provides some sun protection.
When it comes to having fun in the sun, experts agree that sun protective clothing is the best defense. To prevent harmful exposure, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends covering babies’ arms and legs with UPF 50+ clothing (like our OtterSuits!) which blocks 98% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. In addition, wearing a wide brim hat with a neck cape (like our Play Hat and Sun Chaser Cap) protects the head and neck where most basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas appear. Believe it or not, starting a child in this routine early will get them used to wearing sun-protective clothing and hats. Our child is now 5 years old and has been wearing Sunday Afternoons’ wide-brimmed hats and prototypes of the OtterSuit since he was a baby. When we head out to the pool, beach, or any other outdoor adventure, he happily puts on his OtterSuit and grabs his hat. Our goal is to share this incredibly convenient and superior sun protection with other adventurous families like ours.
Together, we can Make Sun Simple and focus on making memories.