Summer is here, and Mid-State Health is encouraging families to soak up the season safely by making sun protection a daily habit, especially for children. With longer days, warmer weather, and more time spent outdoors, exposure to harmful UV rays increases, making it more important than ever to protect your skin.

From beach days to backyard play, summer activities are a highlight of the season, but they also come with added risks. Children are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and long-term skin damage due to their thinner, more sensitive skin. Even a single severe sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Taking simple steps now can make a lasting difference in protecting their health.

“Sun safety doesn’t have to take away from summer fun, it should be part of it,” says Dr. Nettie Colella, Pediatrician at Mid-State Health. “Building small habits like applying sunscreen before heading outside or wearing a hat can go a long way in protecting children’s skin now and in the future.”

Mid-State Health recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, applied generously 15 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours (or more often after swimming or sweating). Protective clothing such as lightweight long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses can provide additional coverage, while seeking shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) offers another layer of protection.

Sun safety is about more than avoiding sunburn, it’s about building lifelong habits that support healthy skin. By making sun protection part of your family’s routine, you can enjoy everything summer has to offer while helping prevent premature aging and reducing the risk of skin cancer.

This summer, Mid-State Health encourages families to stay active, get outside, and enjoy the sunshine, just don’t forget the sunscreen!

About Mid-State Health Center

Mid-State Health Center delivers primary care and supportive services at locations in Bristol, Plymouth, and Lincoln, offering medical services, dental services, behavioral health counseling, physical and occupational therapy, orthopedics, nutrition, chiropractic, diagnostic imaging, infusion, recovery, and care management for the entire family.  The mission of Mid-State Health Center is to provide sound primary health care to the community accessible to all regardless of the ability to pay.