Children and Sun Damage

It's viatal that we educate our children about damage the sun can do. Since children do not understand the dangers of UltraViolet Radiation they need protection. They need special care as they spend more time outdoors than adults and can burn more quickly as they have very little melanin (skin pigment) to protect them.

Australian research indicates that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18. Babies - even when in the shade - can burn very quickly. Babies should have no exposure to the sun until at least 1 year old.

Alarmingly, as few as 6 childhood sunburns significantly increases the risk of melanoma cancer later in life. Started early and followed consistently sun wise behaviour will become a sound healthy habit - as routine as fastening seatbelts or brushing teeth!

Reduce UV Exposure - Play safe in the sun

Taking a few simple precautions can prevent damage from UV rays and make the time spent outdoors even more enjoyable ... reduce the worries of over exposure, follow these simple tips:

* Stay indoors/or in the shade between 12 and 4pm - when the UV radiation level is at its peak

* Ensure you and your family never burn

* Wear protective clothing whilst the UV Index is high. Wear a broad brimmed or legionnaire style hat to protect the eyes, face and neck - especially babies and children.

* Protect the eyes with sunglasses, preferably the wrap-around style - people underestimate the damage caused to eyes by the sun .. children should always wear glasses

* Use and reapply broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least factor (SPF) 15+. Apply liberally to skin not covered by clothing. Babies and children should wear a factor of at least (SPF) 30+

* Remember if the temperature drops it does not mean the UV radiation level has decreased and beware of cool breezes, these are very deceptive

* Protect young children, with shade, sun-protective clothing, sun hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. They are unaware of the dangers and it means you can relax

* Use pram cover and shade for babies. It is recommended that babies under the age of one should stay completely out of the sun. Use protective clothing/pram cover and shade even on a cloudy day

* Parents should model behaviour for children.

We need to be particularly careful with children. According to the World Health Organisation “frequent sun exposure and sunburn in childhood appears to set the stage for higher rates of melanoma (skin cancer) in later life“.

Furthermore we get about 80% of our UV exposure by the time we are 21 years.

For more information about the risks of overexposure to UV please refer to the following site:

World Health Organisation
Ultraviolet Radiation: Global Solar UV Index
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs271/en/

Welcome to the Safe Sun Blog

You've reached the safe sun blog where we'll be regularly posting articles to help you protect yourself from the suns harmful rays.

Keep a look out for the live UV Index link which will be coming soon ... this will give you an on the spot indication of how strong the sun is in Spain and Europe, LIVE !

We'll be covering lots of hot topics and giving out lots of hints and tips ... so, please bookmark this page and come back soon.

Kind Wishes
Jos and the Sizlu Team