Skin cancer awareness
Sun basics for kids
Top tips on ways to protect your child's skin
With the right precautions, your kids can safely play
in the sun all year long. Protection from the sun is especially important for kids as research shows a link between sunburn in children and an increased risk of skin cancer later in life.
Precautions
For the best protection, you need to take the following precautions:
- The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest and most harmful between 10am and 4pm. It is advised that you plan indoor activities, however, if outdoors, seek shade under a tree or an umbrella when possible.
- To prevent sunburn, cover up and shield your child’s skin from harmful UV rays by ensuring they:
- dress in protective clothing at all times
- put on a hat that shades the face, scalp, neck and ears
- wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection
- use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15+ covering all unprotected areas of the skin.
Helpful Hints
- Check to make sure children apply sunscreen properly, they are likely to miss exposed scalp, the top of their ears, neck and feet. Reapply every 2 to 3 hours or after heavy perspiration.
- Around 80 percent of the sun's damaging rays still get through the clouds. Clouds do not stop UV rays, they filter them.
- Sunscreen only reduces the damage from UV radiation, it doesn't eliminate it. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Remember to keep your sunscreen handy for example in your car or child’s back pack.
- UV rays reflect off sand, snow and water. UV rays also reach below the water's surface. Apply a waterproof sunscreen if your child will be around water or will go swimming.
- Remember the shadow rule: When outside, if your shadow is shorter than you are, then the UV rays are intense and can burn you.
- Choosing your destination carefully (think of places with lots of shady areas) can be a precaution especially if you have babies or children.
- And remember, if you practice these precautions regularly, your kids may be willing to follow your example.
- If you follow the tips above you and your family can enjoy the sun knowing that you are skin and sun aware.
