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June 2011

Hot health tips for summer

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Two girls having fun at the beach. The school year may be ending, but your girl can still learn a lot from you. Teach your girl how to stay safe and healthy through all the summer fun and sun. Here are some tips to get you started:

Spread the sunscreen message. Most people don’t put on enough sunscreen. You need to apply an ounce of sunscreen every two hours. (That’s about the size of a ping pong ball.) And reapply after swimming or sweating a lot.
Stay safe during car trips. Make sure everybody always wears a seat belt. And model safe behavior: Put down the phone (or food) when driving.
Help her stay safe at parties. Tell her never to ride with a drunk driver, and let her know that you'll always come get her if she needs a safe ride. Look together at ways girls can have fun and stay safe.
Take the opportunity to teach swim safety. One out of 5 drowning victims is a child under 14. Make sure your girl knows how to swim and how to stay safe around water. Sign her up for a swim class at your local pool or community center.
Get fresh with food. Many girls don't eat the recommended amounts of fruits and veggies. Grill some veggies with a low-fat sauce. Try refreshing fruits instead of ice cream or sugary drinks.
Work out outdoors. Go for a hike, or work in a garden. And if it gets hot, get creative: Consider walking fast in a shopping mall, going bowling, or trying classes at a local recreation center. Read more about helping girls get fit.

Help girls stay healthy and strong all year. Check out more tips in the Body section of girlshealth.gov for parents and caregivers.

Did you know?

The sun can still damage your skin on hazy or cloudy days. A girl should wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that has both UVA and UVB protection. And remember, tanning beds are not safer than the sun’s rays. Some people think a tan looks healthy, but the truth is that any tan is a sign of skin damage.