Sun-Safe Kids Kendal

By  Supernanny Team 05/08/2008

Many parents may assume that skin cancer is an adult disease – but exposing your child to the sun’s powerful rays makes all the difference to their risk of developing skin cancer in later life. So what steps should you take to protect them?

One child in five here in the US today will go on to develop some form of skin cancer and it can take just one case of severe blistering under the age of 18 years to double the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. We can’t expect our kids to take responsibility for their own sun protection – it’s up to us as parents to do all we can to make sure they don’t get burnt. But the facts are in the figures: around 25% of kids under 6 have had at least one painful sunburn, and the figure rises to 50% in kids under 13.

The dark side of the sun…

We all need some exposure to the sun – it stimulates the body to produce vitamin D, which we don’t easily acquire through food. But prolonged exposure is a no-no – not only can it cause skin cancer, it can also damage eyesight and weaken the immune system. It’s invisible UV rays that are harmful: they may well give the sun kissed glow we all love but even if your kids don’t burn, that tan is a sign of damage. Kids with very fair complexions are most vulnerable but don’t imagine that a darker complexion gives your child any more natural protection: they’re still at risk. Having a family history of cancer or a tendency towards moles increases that risk.

Banning the burn

Obviously it isn’t realistic to keep your kids indoors – they need to get out to run and play. Wrapping up is unrealistic too, if you live in a hot climate. The key is to take precautions – up to 80% of lifetime UV exposure occurs by the time you’re 18, and 10 minutes is all it takes for unprotected skin to burn. Sunscreen and shade remain your child’s first line of defence...

Take cover

1. Seek the shade Keep kids out of direct sunlight when it’s at its strongest (10am-4pm) and don’t expose babies to the sun at all. In practice this can be difficult – up to 85% of the sun’s rays are reflected off concrete, sand or snow – so don’t rely on it alone. Teach older kids the motto: ‘No shadow, seek shade’ – if they’re not too good at checking the time of day, it’ll give them more of an idea about when the sun is most harmful.
2. Dress for success If you can, dress your child in light, loose-fitting tops with long sleeves, in breathable fabrics such as cotton. Dark colors are best as they reflect the sun; open-weave fabrics or nylon and other synthetics often permit light through so these aren’t as protective. If your child is swimming don’t rely on a light-colored t-shirt to protect her – even if it’s close-weave fabric pale colors can become translucent when wet.
3. Hats on Get your a wide-brimmed hat that shades her face and also protects her ears and the back of her neck from the sun. A strap is a useful option to keep it firmly in place on your baby or ...

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