The SunSafe Programs

Rates of malignant melanoma and other skin cancers are rising in the United States. Childhood burns may be the cause. Reducing sun burns and exposure to UV radiation among children under age 18 can prevent 90% of skin cancers later in life.

The SunSafe Programs are free and fun community-wide tools that preschools, schools, sports teams, town recreation programs, parents, and health care providers can use to promote sun protection among children.

SunSafe offers program materials appropriate for two age groups. SunSafe in the Early Years is for children aged 2-9. SunSafe in the Middle School Years is aimed at teens. Both programs offer teachers, principals, coaches, lifeguards, clinicians, and parents fun and educational ways to learn about UV radiation and reduce the risk of skin cancer. You can download the free materials in PDF format from our website:

• SunSafe for the Early Years (2-9 years old)
• SunSafe for the Middle School Years

All documents in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later, which can be downloaded free from the Adobe website.

The SunSafe Programs are based on research conducted by Dartmouth Medical School and Norris Cotton Cancer Center and funded by the National Cancer Institute.