The sun’s out, and summer is here.
It’s time for fun family days out, trips to the seaside and endless barbecues and garden parties with family and friends.
The sunshine and hot weather are a great chance for you and the kids to get outdoors, but the heat can be particularly harmful to children and babies, so it’s important to protect their skin from the sun, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Here are our top tips to help you keep your children – and the rest of the family – sun-safe this summer.
• Why is the Sun Harmful?
The sun can be a beautiful thing. It is a natural source of light and warmth and is the main source of Vitamin D. It can make you feel amazing and energised but also has negative effects. A lot of people don’t realise they need to protect themselves from the sun, but if you want to avoid looking like a lobster all summer long, it’s important to know how to keep yourself sun-safe.
You might think that because you or your children don’t get tanned or burn easily, you don’t need sunscreen, but this is not true. If you’re outside for an extended amount of time without protection and in direct sunlight, your skin will start getting red and irritated.
The sun emits two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, which can cause premature ageing, and UVB rays affect the outer layers of the skin, which is why we can get sunburn. Damage to the skin from the sun’s UV rays is what can lead to potentially deadly skin diseases. The damage can build up over time from repeated exposure to the sun without any UV protection, such as sun cream, sunglasses and hats. 
• Six ways to keep Children Safe in the Sun
Sun safety is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for kids. With summer in full swing, children are getting excited about their holidays, day trips and time spent outdoors. But with the sun shining bright, it is important for parents to talk to their children about how to protect themselves from sun damage.
Children are more vulnerable to skin and other health problems because they spend more time in the sun than adults. They also don’t have as much melanin, which is a natural protection against UV light. Luckily, there are several ways to prevent sun damage and to help your children stay safe and protected this summer.
Keep them topped up with sun cream
Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) is the most important thing when it comes to staying protected from the sun’s UV rays. Applying sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher first thing in the morning and re-applying throughout the day to keep it topped up will keep their skin as safe as possible from sun damage.
Make sure they wear a hat
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat that covers their head and ears (like a bucket hat) will help keep your kids’ head nice and cool and protected from the direct sunlight.
Stay cool
Setting up a paddling pool or even starting a fun water fight if you’re feeling extra adventurous is a terrific way to keep the kids cool and occupied in the heat. It’s also important to take time out from the sun altogether throughout the day, whether that be by going indoors or finding a cool bit of shade.
Avoid hottest parts of the day
The sun is strongest at around Noon and is still powerful between 11am and 3pm. Babies should always be kept in the shade and a parasol, umbrella or finding a tree with good shade is best if you’re unable to stay indoors.
Loose clothes
Loose cotton clothing will help keep your children cool in the hot weather. Alternatively, long-sleeved sun protection suits for kids and babies are perfect for the warm summer days.
Keep them hydrated
Hydration is essential and although it can be tricky at times to keep your little ones topped up with water, it’s crucial to keeping them safe and avoiding sunstroke. Aim for six to eight cups of water per day.
• How to spot when a child is Dehydrated
Signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion in children can show in several ways. The main one is the colour of their urine. Dark and strong-smelling urine is a key indicator that a child is dehydrated and needs to drink more fluids. Other signs of dehydration are:
- Low energy levels
- Feeling thirsty
- Urinating less than four times a day, or having fewer wet nappies than usual
- Dry mouth/lips
- Cold or dry skin
- Shivers or fever
It’s important to be a role model for your kids this summer and follow the same steps you put in place for them when enjoying the heat. Keeping yourself topped up on sun cream applications, wearing a hat, staying hydrated and taking time to cool off in the shade will help them understand the importance of staying safe in the sun.
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Disclaimer:
Information and other content provided in Lily & Loaf blogs should not be construed as medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. If you have any medical concerns, you should consult with your health care provider.
