Sun Awareness

Too much sun can be dangerous

The summer is a great time for adults as well as children to have some fun outdoors

Follow the Sun Safety Code

Cover up

With loose, cool clothing to keep the sun off your skin. Wear a hat with a brim or a flap that covers the ears and the back of your neck as these areas can easily get sunburnt.

 

Seek Shade

Seek shade especially during the hottest part of the day, from 11.00am to 3.00pm.

 

Use a Sunscreen

Use a high factor sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher on any exposed skin. Use it an hour before going outside and re-apply frequently and generously.

 

Be Aware of Your Skin

If you notice a mole that is changing size, shape, colour, itching or bleeding - see your doctor. If skin cancers are treated early, they should cause no further problems.

 

Top tips for protecting children in the sun

 

• Remember you can burn in the UK - The Great British sun is quite capable of burning your child! Take extra care at home as well as abroad.

• Know the shadow rule - If your shadow is longer than you are, then you are safe from the sun. When your shadow is shorter than you are tall, the sun can burn you (this is an external hyperlink).

• Use shade - Keep babies in complete shade (this is an external hyperlink) : under trees, umbrellas, canopies or indoors.

• Cover them up - Dress children in cotton clothing (this is an external hyperlink) that is baggy, close-weave and cool. Oversized T-shirts are good for covering most of their skin.

• Use dry clothing - Remember that wet clothing stretches and can lose up to half of its UV protection – put children in dry clothing after playing in water.

• Protect shoulders and necks - Don't put children in vest tops or sundresses if they are spending a lot of time outdoors – shoulders and backs of necks get easily burned .

• Wear sunglasses - Buy good quality, wraparound sunglasses for children, as soon as they can wear them. Sunglasses don't have to be expensive brands, but toy sunglasses can do more harm than good.

• Find hats they like - Encourage children to wear hats with brims, especially if they are not wearing sunglasses. The wider the brim, the more skin will be shaded from the sun.

• Use sunscreen wisely - Apply factor 15+ sunscreen (this is an external hyperlink) before children go outdoors. Then reapply often to be sure of good coverage. Don't forget their shoulders, nose, ears, cheeks and tops of feet.

• Remember sunscreen washes off - Always use waterproof factor 15+ sunscreen when children are swimming or playing outdoors with water. Reapply after towelling.

• Don't forget school times - Remember play times and lunch breaks on summer school days (this is an external hyperlink) too. Give children a hat to wear and, if they can't apply sunscreen at school, cover their exposed skin with factor 15+ before they go.

 

Remember, children spend much more time outside than adults do. By putting these tips into practice you will protect your children now and reduce their risk of developing skin cancer (this is an external hyperlink) in the future.

SunSmart – the UK’s national skin cancer prevention campaign www.sunsmart.org.uk (this is an external hyperlink)