How to Have Fun and Be Safe in the Sun

We all love when summer comes around and we can relax and enjoy the sun. Going to the beach with friends, eating popsicles with parents, and making a splash in the pool. But while we’re having fun, it’s important to remember sun safety. The sun is big, bright, and powerful. If we’re not careful it may become dangerous. Here are a few tips to make sure the sun doesn’t burn your fun:

• Always wear sunscreen – Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 every time you go outside. Make sure it's labeled "broad spectrum," which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. For the best protection, apply 15 to 30 minutes before going outside so it has time to work on your skin. Don’t forget to protect your ears, nose, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

• Stay hydrated – Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water. Sip on water throughout the day to help keep the water level in your body from dropping too low when it's hot or you're sweating a lot. Sweating means that your body has enough water stored to keep you cool. If you stop sweating, that’s a sign that your water reserves have run dry, and you need to get out of the sun and drink water right away.

• Seek the shade – The first, and best, line of defense against harmful UVA and UVB rays is staying out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. Cool off indoors, or hang out under a tree, beach umbrella, or pop-up tent. Remember that even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, the sun’s rays reach the earth and can give you a sunburn if you aren’t protected.

• Cover Up – If you’re going to be out in the sun, wear loose-fitting cotton clothing with a tight weave, which means you shouldn’t be able to see through it. Stick a hand inside your clothes to make sure you can't see it through them! The skin around your eyes is vulnerable to sun damage too, so add a pair of sunglasses to your outfit that filter both UVB and UVA rays.

Explore Jacksonville's Parks, Preserves, Playgrounds & Pools

• Explore – You can your family can enjoy kayaking, horseback riding and hiking without leaving the city. Visit Castaway Island Preserve, Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trails, Julington Durbin Creek Preserve and more to explore nature.

• Swim – Several of our parks have community pools and splash pads to help you beat the Florida heat. Some of the parks where these are available include Emmett Reed Park, Harts Road Park, Bruce Park, Losco Regional Park and Oceanway Park.

• Learn – Many of our parks have museums and centers on-site where visitors can learn about history and nature. A few of these types of parks include Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Tree Hill Nature Center, Walter Jones Historical Park, and Tille K. Fowler Regional Park.

• Play – Lace up your sneakers and get ready to play! Many of Jacksonville’s parks have playgrounds, baseball fields, basketball courts and tennis courts that you are encouraged to use. There’s even a park for skateboarding and roller skating complete with ramps, half pipes, quarter pipes and more. Check out Cuba Hunter Skate Park, Black Island Hammock Park, Carvill Park, Cecil Field, Ed Austin Regional Park and Grunthal Park.

Discover more about our parks by visiting the Jax Parks website at www.jaxparks.com.

Download the Park and Recreation Hidden Object activity sheet.

Plan Ahead to Keep Your Family Safe During a Disaster

• Pick the same person for each family member to call or email. It might be easier to reach someone who's out of town.
• Text, don't talk, unless it's an emergency. It may be easier to send a text, if you have a phone, and you don't want to tie up phone lines for emergency workers.
• Create a fire escape plan that has two ways out of every room and practice it twice a year.
• Choose a meeting spot near your home, then practice getting there.
• Choose a spot outside of your neighborhood in case you can't get home. Practice getting there from school, your friends' houses and after school activities.
• Keep your family's contact info and meeting spot location in your backpack, wallet, or taped inside your school notebook. Put it in your cellphone if you have one.

Bicycle Safety Tips for Kids

Riding a bike is fun, a great way to exercise and good for the environment. While you’re enjoying your ride, it’s important to remember these safety tips:

Download the Bike to School Maze.

Eat Healthy Foods to Grow Up Great

Similar to the way a car needs gasoline to drive, your body uses food as fuel to properly function. That’s why it’s important to make healthy food choices by eating meals and snacks that are nutritious, as well as delicious. You can use the five food groups to select the foods that will power your day.

• Vegetables – Vegetables are encouraged at every meal because they provide the vitamins and minerals needed to keep your body healthy. Examples: carrots, spinach, broccoli and cucumbers

• Fruit – Fruit also provides important vitamins and minerals that help you stay well. Try to eat fruit often. Examples: bananas, grapes and pineapples. Check out this healthy, tasty recipe to try with your parents: Apple Slice Pancakes 

• Grain – Grain, especially wholegrain, has fiber and B vitamins that help with digestion. Examples: cereals, rice, bread and pasta

• Protein – Your body uses protein to build, repair and maintain tissue, muscles and organs. Examples: fish, eggs, nuts, seeds and chicken

• Dairy – This food group is an excellent source of calcium, which is important for strong, healthy bones. Examples: milk, yogurt and cheese