Ineffective sunglasses actually can cause more harm than no glasses, [Todd Turriff] says. Any shades-whether they screen out ultraviolet rays or not-allow the eyes to dilate. If the UV is not screened well, the dilated eyes actually get more harmful sun exposure than if they were unshaded and the pupils constricted.

When it comes to sunscreen protection, [Jeffrey Klein] advises children and parents to use a lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. The lotion should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to sink in and dry. He urges parents to use enough lotion to cover the skin areas well.

Higher SPF sunscreens-like SPF 30-should be used for extended sun exposure, like a day out on a boat or at the beach. The higher SPFs should not be used on a daily basis, Klein says, because they can cause greater skin sensitivity and irritation.