Here in Northern California, it looks like spring has sprung!  The skies are blue, flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining brightly.  On days like this, it’s easy to remember to grab your sunglasses. 

However, just as we protect our skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, we should also be taking precautions to protect our eyes year round.  Furthermore, infants and children are even more vulnerable to damage from UV rays, so protecting them is vital.

Following are a few ways you can keep your children’s baby blues (or brown, hazel, green or violet!) safe:

• Try to keep babies less than half a year old out of sunlight as much as possible…choose shade!
• Start good habits early; there are several styles of baby sunglasses available, some with very comfy straps that hold them on their head…get them used to always wearing them and it’ll be second nature.
• And by always wearing them, I mean even on cloudy or overcast days…most of those bad rays come through the clouds.  Keep in mind, too, that a snowy day can be a double-whammy for eyes; the sunlight reflects off of snow just as it does off of water!
• Hats with large brims allow your kids to carry a bit of shade with them wherever they go…and perform double duty by  protecting their skin as well.
• Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Teach your children to NEVER look directly at the sun.
• Model good behavior and wear sunglasses and hats when outside as well.  There are many adorable hat styles available that are fashionable as well as functional…make it your signature!

Because our children’s future is so bright, they’ve gotta wear shades!