Summer is here! It is lovely to enjoy the wonderful weather, however it’s important to make sure we keep children safe in the sun! Children have delicate skin and it can be damaged easily by the sun.

Even on cloudy days skin that is unprotected can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays. Sunburn can take up to 22 hours to show the full effect of the damages, so while they might look ‘a little pink’ in the evening by morning it could be burnt and painful.

Tips and advice:

Shade – It is important to provide areas of shade. This can be under trees, umbrellas or canopies. Young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight. The sun is usually at its most intense between 11am and 3pm, so shade is important during this time.

Cover up – Protect your child’s skin with loose-fitting clothes, and a wide-brimmed hat that shades their face, neck and ears when they go outdoors. Sunglasses are also important to protect their eyes.

Sunscreen – Use at least a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 to protect against UVB
at least 4-star UVA protection. UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters “UVA” in a circle, which indicates that it meets the EU standard. Make sure the sunscreen is not past its expiry date. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years. It’s important to choose sunscreens that are formulated for children’s and baby’s skin as these products are less likely to contain alcohol or fragrances that might irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. Apply the sunscreen to areas that cannot be protected by clothing, such as the face, neck, ears, feet and backs of hands. Sunscreen should be applied generously and regularly throughout the day. Sunscreen can easily be washed off, rubbed or sweated off the body.

Sunglasses – Children’s eyes are more sensitive to UV light than those of adults, so it is vital that they are protected. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses for your child with 100% UV filtration (toy sunglasses may provide no protection at all) and also a wide-brimmed hat.

Healthy and hydrated – Make sure your child drinks plenty of water. At Little Explorers we have water available all day.

At Little Explorers we make sure that throughout the day sunscreen is applied to each child prior to playing in the sun. We also recommend that you bring a sun hat to nursery for your child, ensuring that it protects the face, the head and nape of the neck. We do have spare hats, but children are generally much happier wearing their own.