Apply and reapply. Don’t let sweltering weather signal a need for sunscreen; apply it on your child (and yourself) year-round. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 (or higher) 30 minutes before going outdoors, and make sure to reapply at least every two hours. Is your child sweating or swimming? Then you should reapply sunscreen more often. As with any product, read and follow the directions thoroughly.

UVA rays. Understand that UVA rays can still cause sun damage through your child’s clothing. This means that it’s crucial to apply sunscreen even if your child will be clothed. UVA rays can also travel through the windows of your car or house, so also apply sunscreen during long car rides.

Infants and sun safety. Infants up to six months old should be kept out of the sun or provided shade if they must go outdoors. Talk to your dermatologist or pediatrician about acceptable formulas for infants older than six months. For older children, choose a mild sunblock specially designed for little ones. For more sensitive areas like the nose, lips, ears and toes, use opaque sunscreen like zinc oxide.

Environmental impact. The sun’s strength and thereby harm depend on where you are. High altitudes and areas with reflective surfaces like water, sand and snow increase the sun’s dangerous impact, so keep this in mind when traveling during the year. You’ll want to up the sun protection in these areas.

Avoid peak hours. Children should be kept out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is most intense. If that can’t be avoided, throwing on a hat and protective clothing in addition to sunscreen will allow kids to rumble and tumble in the sun safely. Make sure that there’s also a fresh bottle of water on hand to keep kids hydrated while playing in the sun.

Look beyond the clouds. Don’t be fooled if the weather is warm and the sky is cloudy. Many people assume that a cloudy sky means safety from the sun. Clouds only partially block harmful rays, and by the time the skin starts to feel warm, the damage has already been done.

Cool shades. Just like sunglasses are important for adults to prevent eye damage and cataracts, kids need to wear shades, too. In fact, children under 10 years old are at greatest risk for retinal damage, writes Dr. Alan Greene, which can lead to blindness. In fact, he explains, “Teaching your children to wear sunglasses may be more important than giving them a college fund.”

All shades aren’t created equal: Look for sunglasses that protect against both UVB and UVA rays and have large lenses that sit closely on the eyes, recommends Dr. Greene. So children feel comfortable and happy with their sunglasses (meaning they’ll actually wear them), let them choose their own pair.

Check their meds. Some medications, including antibiotics and acne treatments, can make children especially sensitive to the sun, increasing their risk for severe sunburn, according to KidsHealth. To find out if your child’s medication increases sun sensitivity, consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Top pick for kids. Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50 is a great choice for little ones (and adults with sensitive skin). Formulated with a combination of titanium and zinc oxide, this light lotion is water resistant and provides broad spectrum protection. Never apply sunscreen on an infant younger than six months.