Stay Well In The Sun

The summer months are enjoyable but can be harmful for us but preparing ahead will keep you and anyone you care for safe in the sun.

Keeping your child safe in the sun.

Keep babies under the age of six months out of direct sunlight, especially around midday.
Cover exposed parts of your child’s skin with sunscreen which has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 above and is effective against UVA and UVB.
Be especially careful to protect your child’s shoulders and the back of their neck, as well as their nose, ears, cheeks and the tops of their feet. Reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
Encourage your child to play in the shade – under trees, for example – especially between 11am and 3pm.
Cover your child in loose cotton clothes, such as an oversized T-shirt with sleeves. Get them to wear a floppy hat with a wide brim that shades their face, neck and ears.
Protect your child’s eyes with sunglasses that meet the British Standard (BSEN 1836:2005) and carry the CE mark (check the label).
If your child is swimming, use a waterproof sunblock with an SPF of 15 or above and reapply after towelling.

Tips for keeping cool

Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. You can open the windows for ventilation when it is cooler.
Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat.
Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and diluted fruit juice. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine (tea, coffee and cola) or drinks high in sugar.

We have more handy hints on our YouTube site.