Fun in the hot, hot sun.

Summer has arrived, and nature, with maternal compassion, offers a host of natural remedies for the summertime afflictions our kids are about to confront. With a little diligence they can be spared the brunt of summer's hazards.

A distinct sound marks the start of each summer season. Whining. Kids complaining of nothing to do during summer vacation and of insects seeking to dine on kids complaining of nothing to do during summer vacation. Fortunately, there are natural measures you can take to repel the insects. I'm afraid you're stuck with the kids.

Bugs, it seems, find the scent of some essential oils repugnant. Dab on a few drops of one of the scents on their black list, which includes citronella, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, pine, spearmint, and bay leaf. Because essential oils can irritate sensitive skin, cut them by mixing with a few drops of a neutral oil, such as almond. Alternatively, put a few drops in a spray bottle of water and mist exposed body parts or around your house.

If (eeks!) a biting insect slips through your defenses, you can try the following "To neutralize beestings (acidic), apply bicarbonate of soda or other alkali. For wasp stings (alkaline), use vinegar or lemon juice."

Two common folk remedies for stings include simple mud (moisten some dirt) applied to beestings and a mixture of water and meat tenderizer applied to the sting.

After we've been frozen solid all winter, the sun feels so good it's hard to believe that it can be of any real danger. But sadly, skin cancer is on the rise, and the incidence of malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is growing faster than any other cancer in the U.S. and the world.

Most sun damage happens before age 20, which is why it's important to protect kids. Use the highest SPF waterproof sunscreen possible, but check with your family doctor before applying sunscreen to infants and very young children.

Don't skimp when applying it, which can result in uneven or reduced protection. It takes approximately an ounce of sunscreen to effectively cover the average person. Apply the sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before your kids will be going out in the sun. If they are swimming, reapply it every 30 minutes, even if it says it's waterproof. If they are not in the water, reapply every two to three hours, even on cloudy days, since 80 percent of ultraviolet rays break through the clouds.

Use plenty of sunscreen on high-risk areas, such as shoulders, nose, and back. All children, but especially babies and toddlers, need to wear hats and should have sunglasses with ultraviolet protection. If, despite your best defenses, your child gets burned, witch hazel and baking soda both cool sunburns. Splash witch hazel right on. Or make a cooling bath by mixing baking soda and cornstarch to water.

Burning is only one problem associated with the sun. Heat also affects kids. CIGNA Healthcare of Arizona pediatrician Mark Morales offers this rule of thumb when kids are playing outside five-minute water breaks in a shady place every 25 minutes.

"It's important to bring kids in out of the sun for a few minutes," he points out. "Encourage them to drink liquids, even if they say they're not thirsty." And even when they're swimming.

But don't sweat it. Take reasonable precautions and then let kids enjoy themselves while you sip a cool drink in the shade After a winter spent climbing the walls with your offspring, you deserve the break.

Celeste Perrino Walker finished this column for Vibrant Life while she was sitting in the shade.