Archive Council News

01.08.04

Beat the Burn!

Wrexham's Health Promotion Team are encouraging residents to take sensible precautions to protect their children from sunburn. The Council is working in partnership with the Chartered Environmental Health and Lloyds Pharmacy to raise awareness and reinforce the need for a common sense approach.

Young skin is delicate and very easily damaged by the sun. All children, no matter whether they tan easily or not, should be protected from the sun. Children (like adults) with fair or red hair, pale eyes or freckles are at most risk. It is best to keep babies under six months old out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Teaching children safe sun habits while they are young sets a good pattern for later life.

There are 10 tips to protect your children now and reduce the risk of skin cancer developing in the future. Use Shade - Keep babies in complete shade, under trees, umbrellas, canopies or indoors.

1. Cover them up - Dress children in cotton clothing that is baggy, close-weave and cool. Oversized T-shirts are good for covering most of their skin.

2. Use dry clothing - Remember that wet clothing stretches and can lose up to half of its UV protection - put children in dry clothing after playing in water.

3. Protect shoulders and necks - Don't put children in vest tops or sundresses if they are spending a lot of time outdoors - shoulders and backs of necks get easily burned.

4. Wear sunglasses - Buy good quality, wraparound sunglasses for children as soon as they can wear them. Sunglasses don't have to be expensive brands, but toy sunglasses can do more harm than good.

5. Find hats they like - Encourage children to wear hats with brims, especially if they are not wearing sunglasses. The wider the brim, the more skin will be shaded from the sun.

6. Use sunscreen wisely - Apply factor 15+ sunscreen 15 - 30 minutes before children go outdoors. Then reapply generously once outside to be sure of good coverage. Don't for get their shoulders, nose, ears, cheeks and tops of feet.

7. Remember sunscreen washes off - Always use waterproof sunscreen (factor 15+) when children are swimming or playing outdoors with water. Reapply after toweling.

8. Don't forget school times - Remember play times and lunch breaks on summer school days too. Give children a hat to wear and, if they can't apply sunscreen at school cover their exposed skin with factor 15+ before they go.

9. Remember you can burn in the UK - The Great British sun is quite capable of burning your child! Take extra care at home as well as abroad.

10. Know the shadow rule - If your shadow is longer than you are, then you are safe from the sun. When your shadow is shorter than you are tall, the sun can burn you.

To promote staying safe in the sun the Health Promotion Team will be giving sun cream samples at the Alyn Waters Community Fun day on 18th August.