Hats
Hats offer the best method of minimizing ultraviolet radiation (UV) to the face, head, ears, and neck. Different styles of hats provide varying levels of sun protection, but any hat is better than no hat.
A hat with a wide brim that goes all the way around offers the best protection for the face, nose, head, ears, and neck. The hat’s brim should be at least 3 to 4 inches wide. A wide-brimmed hat provides approximately 50 percent protection from direct UV exposure.
A flappy-jack or legionnaire cap provides good protection for the ears and neck but leaves areas of the face exposed to the sun.
Baseball hats offer some protection for the face but do not protect the sensitive skin on the ears, cheeks and neck.
Visors do not protect ears, cheeks, neck or head but any hat is better than no hat.
For hats:
- Encourage your family to wear hats.
- Buy hats for your children with their favorite characters on them.
- Be a role model for your children and family by wearing hats everytime you are outside.
- Put a hat in your child's school bag and make sure their teachers and care takers know they are required to wear it whenever playing outside.
