Parents urged to be SunSmart and protect children’s skin from sunburn

New research shows parents protect their children’s skin from the sun and set a good example for their children when it comes to sun protection

To mark the launch of the annual SunSmart campaign, the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland are reminding parents of the importance of protecting children’s skin from overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays to reduce their risk of sunburn.

Research shows that most parents set a good SunSmart example for their children. Most are vigilant regarding children’s sun protection but more likely to be so when abroad rather than here in Ireland.*

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

According to Dr Aoife Lally, Consultant Dermatologist, St Vincent’s University Hospital:

“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, whether at home or abroad. It is important to remember that, in Ireland, the sun’s UV rays are strong and damaging from April to September with UV levels of 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.”

In the run up to the Easter holidays you can protect you and your children’s 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, that has a level 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.

The new research carried out by the HSE’s NCCP found that:

• The vast majority of parents (82%) report being more concerned about their child’s sun protection than their own.
• The survey, of 591 parents with primary school-aged children, found that almost 7 in 10 parents are concerned about the risk of skin cancer from sun exposure and most (70%) try to set a good example for their children when it comes to sun protection.
• Nearly half (45%) of parents surveyed reported that their child experienced sunburn last year (2024) and 63% of parents reported experiencing sunburn themselves.
• While there is evidence of consistent use of sun protection measures by parents and guardians, the research suggests that they are more vigilant about protecting their children’s skin when abroad than at home in Ireland.
• The majority stated that they are more likely to dress their children in a hat and sunglasses, avoid sun in the middle of the day, use a sun shade and apply sunscreen when abroad.
• They were also more likely to apply sunscreen with a higher SPF to their children’s skin and to reapply sunscreen more frequently than they would in Ireland.

Dr Breeda Neville, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE National Cancer Control Programme adds:

“It’s really encouraging to see that parents and guardians are so invested in protecting their children’s skin. The high levels of sunburn experienced by both children and their parents are concerning however. It’s important that parents are reminded to protect their own, and their children’s, skin by following the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s. This is just as important here in Ireland as it is when holidaying abroad as from April to September the sun’s UV rays are strong enough to damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer, even on cloudy days”.