Top Tips For Staying Safe In The Sun & FREE SIGN!
What a lovely few days of sunshine we have had, although it may not be for long it has been very much needed reminder that the rest of 2021 is looking bright. Whilst everyone is keen to get outside, it’s important that children are enjoying the sun safely whilst at nursery or school.
Not only is sunburn painful and uncomfortable, it can lead to more serious problems later in life. So, in the interests of keeping kids safe, here are our top 3 tips to staying safe in the sun.
The sun has got his hat on, have you?
The sun is hottest between 11am and 3pm. It is best to avoid playing in direct sunlight between these hours. Children can continue to play outdoors in shaded areas and can wear protective clothing including hats, long sleeved t shirts, trousers and sunglasses.
Does your play area lack shade? Try adding some parasols, an awning, or create your own shelter
Use high factor sun lotion
Sun screen and lotions are safe to use on children age 6 months and above. The recommendation is SPF30 or SPF50 for the best protection. Some early years providers may request parents to supply their own preferred sun cream, but that is not always the case. We have developed a range of SPF50 sun lotions for children available in 1L bottles, 1L cartridges for a dispenser and an elephant sized 2.5L bottle for use with a pump top. These larger bottles are great way to minimise your packaging waste as they should last you a lot longer than the standard size bottles on the market.
Fair skin needs a fair lot of protection
While babies younger than six months' should always be kept out of direct sunlight, extra precaution should also be taken for those with fair skin. During those hottest hours of the day (remember 11am-3pm), children with fair skin can wear clothing which covers their arms and legs and can also seek shade to stay protected.
A quick summary
- Keep children out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- Babies under 6 months should never be left in direct sunlight
- Offer shaded areas for children to play
- Ask parents to ensure children have protective clothing
- Stock up on Gompels kids sun lotion so you are prepared for the next sunny spell
- Display your free sign below as a reminder
Download and print our free sign to display in your nursery
