Nursery World - A parent's guide to sun safety

Excessive exposure to sun and getting sunburned greatly increases the risk of skin cancers and children's skin is especially vulnerable. But simple precautions can protect your children and you can set up safe habits about being in the sun. Help your children feel that it is perfectly normal to put on a sun hat, use sun cream and drink plenty of water. Apply sun protection lotion generously - with an SPF of at least 25. Cover their shoulders and upper arms with a T-shirt and persevere in getting them to wear a hat, ideally with a back neck flap. A generous peak protects children's eyes, but sunglasses may also be necessary. Children's faces and eyes can be exposed, especially if they like to lie back in the shallow water on the beach or a paddling pool.

Help your children feel that it is perfectly normal to put on a sun hat, use sun cream and drink plenty of water. Apply sun protection lotion generously - with an SPF of at least 25. Cover their shoulders and upper arms with a T-shirt and persevere in getting them to wear a hat, ideally with a back neck flap. A generous peak protects children's eyes, but sunglasses may also be necessary. Children's faces and eyes can be exposed, especially if they like to lie back in the shallow water on the beach or a paddling pool.

It can be hard to predict our weather in the UK, so take a 'sun bag' on days out. Everyone can get hot when you travel by car, or in a stuffy train or bus. Carry plenty of water so you and the children do not dehydrate.

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