Parents urged to protect kid's skin from sun throughout September
Now that children are back to school, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme and Healthy Ireland are asking parents and guardians to protect children’s skin from sunburn, and be SunSmart throughout September - even on cloudy days.
Just three instances of severe sunburn in childhood increases children’s risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma) in later life.
Children and young people’s skin is very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. Skin damage from UV increases the risk of skin cancer. Children and young people’s skin is especially vulnerable to the sun. Using sunscreen, wearing long clothing and a hat all help to protect their precious skin from sunburn.
According to Dr Caitríona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE National Cancer Control Programme, "Playing and spending time outdoors is a fun and vital part of childhood. But remember to protect babies and children’s skin from the sun, even on cloudy days. Being SunSmart as a child can help prevent skin cancer in adulthood. The sun’s rays continue to be strong enough to cause skin damage throughout September, so be sure to protect your children's skin from the sun for the walk or cycle to school, outdoor sports training and playtime by following the Healthy IrelandSunSmart steps”.
Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann said: “As we look towards the start of meteorological autumn on September 1st, it’s important to remember that sunshine can still be strong and damaging during the early autumn months, with higher UV levels bringing the risk of skin and eye damage.“Be sure to check the UV index on the Met Éireann app and website and when the UV index is three or higher, remember to follow Healthy Ireland’s SunSmart 5 S’s advice.”
Protect your skin by following the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s:
1. Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible, wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts, clothes made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through.
2. Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and water-resistant. Reapply regularly. No sunscreen can provide 100% protection; it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade.
3. Slap on a wide-brimmed hat: Protect your face, ears and neck.
4. Seek shade: Sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.
5. Slide on sunglasses: Guard your eyes against harm by wearing sunglasses with UV
protection.
For more information and to learn how to protect yourself and your family’s skin from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer in Ireland, visit the SunSmart hub at www.hse.ie/sunsmart and check out #SunSmart on social media.