The Grand Strand sun is stronger than it feels. A few easy habits prevent sunburn, dehydration, and heat illness.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, put it on about 15 minutes before you head out, and reapply every two hours, and after swimming or sweating. Do not forget ears, feet, and the back of the neck.
The sun is strongest from roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take shade breaks under an umbrella or tent during those hours, especially with young children.
A wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, and light, long-sleeved clothing add easy protection. Many swim shirts are rated UPF 50+.
Heat and sun dehydrate you faster than you notice. Bring water, sip often, and go easy on alcohol, which speeds dehydration.
Heavy sweating, cramps, dizziness, headache, or nausea can signal heat exhaustion. Move to shade or air conditioning, cool down, and hydrate. If someone is confused, stops sweating, or passes out, call 911 right away, it may be heat stroke.
Babies under six months should stay out of direct sun. For everyone, a bad sunburn now raises skin-cancer risk later, so make sun protection part of every beach day.
