Keeping Children Sun-Safe
As the weather gets warmer and the sun shines brighter, children are often playing outside for much longer periods of time – meaning we need to take precautions against various dangers which arrive hand-in-hand with the season.
• Use a sun cream with a high-factor SPF on your children, especially if they are fair-skinned. Sunburns look bad and feel even worse! Make sure to apply sun cream 20 minutes before direct exposure to the sun and reapply every two hours. Apply more frequently if your child has been swimming or sweating a lot. It may also be a wise decision to invest in water-proof sun cream, especially if your child will be swimming regularly!
• Choose clothing which will ensure protection from the sun rather than sheer clothing. If you are unable to see your hand through the material of the clothing, this means that it will be harder for UV rays to penetrate. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat or cap will also protect their faces from the sun.
• If your child does get sunburn, get them out of the sun immediately and apply cool water to the area using a sponge or flannel. Remedies such as Aloe Vera will also help to cool and calm down the affected area, although it is not advisable to use on broken skin.
• Eyes need protection from the sun too! Find a pair of suitable sun-glasses for your child which offers UV protection (there will be a sticker indicating this on the lens of the sun-glasses).
• Make sure to take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors from sun exposure. This is most important from 11am to 3pm when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
• Children are more prone to the dangers of heat-exhaustion and heat-stroke than adults. Heat-exhaustion happens when a child’s body is unable to cool itself down. Ensure your child a bottle of water handy and ask them to tell you if they feel nauseas, dizzy or tired.
• If your child gets heatstroke, make sure to take them to a cool, indoor area and remove all excess clothing. Apply a cold cloth or flannel to their forehead, and make sure they drink cool fluids containing salts and sugar such as a sports drink. If their symptoms progress any further, seek medical help.
The sun doesn’t have to be a foe when you stay safe and take precautions against the damage in which it can cause! By following a few simple steps, sun-associated danger can be easily avoided.