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How to protect your children’s skin from UV rays – Be UV Aware

Children’s skin is more delicate and more sensitive to UV damage than adults’. That’s why it’s so important to be UV aware in order to keep everyone safe in the sun. See our top tips to protect children’s skin from UV rays below.

Did you know that:

• Sunburn in children can increase the risk of skin cancer in later life?
• Damage caused by over-exposure to UV rays can take 20 years or more to develop into skin cancer?
• UV damage to a child’s skin cells can start before their skin tans or burns?

The UV index

The UV index is a much more accurate way of determining the risk of skin and eye damage than just relying on air temperature. In Northern Ireland, UV levels can be high enough to damage skin even on cool or overcast days from March right through to October. When the UV index is 3 or more you need to protect your skin and eyes. 

What’s the daily UV level where you are?

The Met Office has a weather app that can help you keep track of the UV levels at your location. 

What do the numbers mean?

The UV index has a scale of 0 – 11+ and was developed by the World Health Organisation. There are a number of factors that influence the UV index value including:

• The position of the sun in the sky
• The altitude
• The time of day and time of year
• Cloud cover and other weather conditions

In Northern Ireland, the UV index peaks each day between 11am and 3pm. It is 3 or above on many days between March and October and can reach 7 or 8 in mid-summer, higher than you may have thought.

When the UV index is 3 or more you need to protect your skin and eyes. 

Top tips to protect your children’s skin

For babies

Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight. Their skin burns much faster than adults and even in the shade can be burned by reflected UV rays. Use clothing, hats and shade to prevent exposure to UV radiation. Do not leave babies or small children in a car for shade as they can rapidly become dangerously overheated!

If exposure to sunlight is unavoidable, use only small amounts of sunscreen on any exposed skin. Always use a sunscreen which has been specially formulated for babies with a high SPF 30 or greater and UVA 4 or 5 star. If your child’s skin has an adverse reaction to the sunscreen, stop using immediately.

Clothes

Choose clothes that cover children’s arms, legs and neck. Look for lightweight materials to allow airflow and with a tight weave to reduce penetration by UV rays. Several manufacturers now provide sun-safe wear, especially swim-wear, with a UV rating known as ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).

Choose fabrics with a UPF greater than 15. Always check worn, wet and loose weave materials for sun safety. Hold the garment up to the light if the light passes through easily then so can UV rays and your child’s skin can burn.

Hats

Try to get children used to wearing hats. Start early with soft hats that fold comfortably while your baby sleeps. Keep them in place with a tie or velcro chin strap. Always check ties to avoid risk of choking. Broad-brimmed hats or hats with a legionnaire flap give more protection against sunburn in children.

Sunglasses

Ensure children’s sunglasses provide UV protection and have a recognised safety standard mark.

Maintain Hydration

Children, especially babies, can become dehydrated in warm sunny weather. Always have extra drinks to keep them hydrated and cool.

Sunscreen

Children’s skin is extremely sensitive. Always use a sunscreen with a high SPF 30 or greater and UVA 4 or 5 star to prevent sun damage and sunburn in children. If your child’s skin has an adverse reaction to the sunscreen, stop using immediately.

Follow the Care in the Sun code

• Stay out of the sun when the UV rays are strongest (11am-3pm in Northern Ireland).
• Even on a cool day with light cloud cover, UV radiation can cause skin damage
• Cover up with clothing, hats and sunglasses
• Use a sunscreen with high SPF and UVA protection
• Keep hydrated
• Discourage sunbathing. Practice what you preach parents are role models!

For more detailed information on the UV index and what it means for us check out this video.

Please follow current government guidance on social distancing and travel.