Keeping safe in the sun!

Now that the awful weather is slowly but surely starting to shift, I imagine a lot of you are planning plenty of trips to the beach and the park to make the most of the summer. If that’s the case for you, then it’s important to stay safe in the sun.

I’m sure that everyone knows to pop some suncream on when it’s sunny, but it’s important to remember that even on a cloudy day up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can pass through the clouds. Also, with British weather as unpredictable as it is, you may leave the house in the morning with no suncream on as it’s cloudy, but then find that it brightens up later and you get burnt!

For today’s blog I’m going to share a few more tips for making sure that your whole family enjoy the sun while also staying safe.

• Wrap, Slap, Splat

It’s the old motto that I’m sure you all learnt in school, but make sure that you’re wrapping your children in a t-shirt, slapping a hat on their head and splatting plenty of suncream on!

• Don’t spend too long in the sun.

No suncream will provide you with 100% protection, so make sure that you spend some time in the shade.

• Use the right factor

Make sure that your suncream is right for your own and your children’s skin. Ask your pharmacist if you’re not sure of the best one to go for.

• Apply and reapply

Make sure that you pop your suncream on before you go out, and that you reapply it throughout the day, especially after swimming, towelling or perspiring.

• Avoid peak hours

Between the hours of 11am and 3pm the sun is at its strongest, so take this as an opportunity to get some shade.

• Cover up

However much you apply, no suncream is more effective than covering your skin. Close-weave fabrics (Such as a cotton t-shirt), a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses are essential.

• Know the rays

UVB rays are the kind that penetrate your skin and cause short-term damage, like sunburn. These peak during summer months, whereas UVA rays are present all year round and cause long-term damage like premature aging. That’s why you should cover up on even cloudy days.

No one enjoys getting sunburnt, and I don’t need to repeat the long-term damage that over-exposure to the sun can cause. That’s why, this summer, make sure that you and your family follow our useful tips.

That said, what are your tips for summer safety? We’d love to hear how you get your kids to apply suncream or to cover up, and we’ll share the best ones with our followers. Be sure to leave a comment below or chat to us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+!