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+.

You can read more summer safety tips from the NHS here!