Health - Ten Tips for Protecting Children in the Sun

How often have you seen small children running around on the beach with no protection from the sun? Or kids having a kick around in the park with their bare backs getting redder and redder?

Although skin cancer is rare in children, many skin cancers take years to develop. Damage to the DNA of our skin cells when young, may develop into skin cancer 15-30 years on! The most serious type of skin cancer - melanoma - is the third most common cancer in 15 to 39 year olds.

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.

Use shade
Keep babies in complete shade: under trees, umbrellas, canopies or indoors.

Cover them up
Dress children in cotton clothing 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. SunSmart children's hats are now available to buy online.

Use sunscreen wisely
Apply factor 15+ sunscreen 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.

Use sunscreen wiselyAlways use waterproof sunscreen (factor 15+) 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 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.

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