Summer is nearly upon us which only means one thing; Sun.
Getting out and about in the summer is great fun for our children, but it’s important that we protect them from the Sun’s harmful rays. Therefore, seeing as it is National Sun Awareness Week this week, we have devised the following top tips to help you make sure that your child is protected.
Shade
When the sun is at its highest (between 11am and 3pm) we also know it’s at its strongest too, so make sure that there is enough shade for your child to play in to keep them out of the sun, and protect them from the sun’s harmful rays.
SPF 15 Sunscreen
Make sure you apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above to any exposed areas. Rule of thumb is to apply the equivalent to a teaspoon of sunscreen to arms and legs, both front and back, and to use half a teaspoon for the face, ears and back of the neck. You should always reapply every 2 hours or so.
Keep it Cotton and Oversized
Using baggy, oversized cotton T-Shirts is a great way of keeping your child protected from the sun as well as keeping cool. The shoulders, and the back of the neck are the two most common place for your child to burn, so keeping them covered up is the best form of protection from the sun.
Sunglasses
One of the most important places to protect is the eyes, so make sure that your child has a pair of sunglasses that meet the British standards, and carry the ‘CE’ mark. If you are unsure, check the label when purchasing, or contact the manufacturer.
Go For Waterproof
If your child is swimming, or you know that they will get wet, always be sure to use waterproof sunscreen with a factor of 15 or above, and reapply after getting dry again.