Be SunSmart for the return to school

Now that children are heading back to school, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland are reminding parents to be SunSmart and protect children’s skin from sunburn. 

Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, even in September, increases the risk of sunburn. Children’s skin is very sensitive to UV rays from the sun. Sunburn during childhood increases the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult.

If your child is badly sunburned more than 3 times before the age of 20, they more than double their risk of skin cancer as an adult. Using sunscreen, wearing long clothing and a hat all help to protect their skin from sunburn.

So be sure to protect your children’s skin from the sun on the walk or cycle to school, during outdoor sports training and playtime by being SunSmart.

Dr Breeda Neville, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE National Cancer Control Programme said:
“Playing and spending time outdoors is such an important part of childhood but it is crucial that children are protected and safe in the sun. It is also not enough to use these protection measures on sunny days alone. The sun’s UV rays continue to be strong enough to cause skin damage throughout September, even on cool or cloudy days.”

Liz Coleman, Deputy Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann said:
“As we enjoy these last few days of summer and head into September it is important to remember that the sun’s UV rays can still be strong and damaging during the early autumn months with UV levels still 3 or above. Whenever the UV level is 3 or above, your child should always be protected from the sun (with clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade) and wear sunscreen. So check the UV index on Met Éireann’s app or website rather than using the outside temperature as a guide for whether your child needs sun protection.”

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 SPF of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and is 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 to 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 hse.ie/sunsmart and check out #SunSmart on social media.