Disclaimer: all of the following information is sourced directly from the NHS.

Sun safety for children

With this glorious bank holiday weekend bringing us Brits some uncommonly beautiful weather, sun safety is at the forefront of most parent’s minds. Being careful with exposure to the sun is extremely important, even more so for children. Exposing your child to too much sun can increase their risk of developing skin cancer at a later point, plus sunburn isn’t pleasant at all… ouchie!

Between March and October in the UK, parents should take precautions to be on the safe side!

How can I keep my child safe in the sun?

The NHS advises the following…

Encourage your child to play in the shade – under trees, in a tent or in a wendy house– especially between 11am and 3pm, as this is when the sun is most intense.
Keep babies under the age of six months out of direct sun, particularly around 12am.
Cover exposed parts of your child’s skin with sun cream, even on cloudy or overcast days. A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above is NHS advised BUT personally I would advise factor 50+ to be on the safe side. Keep reapplying!
Don’t forget about the shoulders and neck!
Loose cotton clothes, like oversized t-shirts, are fab for keeping your child cool.
A floppy hat with a wide brim will shade their face and neck.
Protect their peepers with sunglasses that meet the British Standard (BSEN 1836:2005) and carry the CE mark!
If your child is swimming, use a waterproof sunblock and always reapply after towelling! A SPF of 15 or above is NHS advised but again, personally I would stick to factor 50+.