NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A Washington state mother is prompting schools and day camps across the country to review their sunscreen policies after her two young daughters were severely burned during a school field day and had to be taken to the hospital.
According to the mother, her children were burned because of a policy that prevented the school from giving them sunscreen.
She is now calling for a policy change.
Local Nashville organizations, such as the YMCA, have their own sunscreen policies in place.
A spokeswoman for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee told Nashville's News 2 the main reason for the policies is because ingredients in some sunscreens can trigger allergic reactions in some children.
"We want to reduce the risk that a child has an allergic reaction to something that we don't know about," Jessica Fain explained.
Parents are told before camp begins that kids must bring their own sunscreen and apply it too. Parents are also required to fill out a permission slip allowing their children to do so.
Parents are urged to apply sunscreen before kids head out for the day. The children are given breaks every two hours during the day to reapply.
Angela Frye has two children, ages four and seven, enrolled in day camp. She told Nashville's News 2 she believes the policy is a good idea.
"They've gotten very good at applying their own sunscreen. We use the spray kind. It's very easy for them to do. It's something they like the smell of. They feel big being able to put it on themselves so it's not an issue for them," said Frye.
Counselors do keep "emergency" spray sunscreen close-by and can help kids put it on but, only with permission from their parents.
Forty-nine states, including Tennessee, have statewide policies that do not allow children to apply sunscreen without a doctor's note or a medical form filled out by their parents.
