For parents: protecting your family

A healthy balance of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet(UV) radiation is important for general health.

Some UV is important for vitamin D. Too little UV from the sun can lead to low vitamin D levels.

Too much UV from the sun can cause sunburn, skin damage, eye damage and skin cancer. Children and babies have skin that is still developing and is extremely sensitive to UV. It can burn easily.

Adolescence and childhood are critical periods during whcih exposure to UV radiation is more likely to contribute to skin cancer in llager life. Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is the most common cancer in younge people aged between 12 and 24.

Children whose parents model sun protective behaviours are more likely to practice sun protection themselves. So remember the five steps to sun protection: Slip, Slop Slap, Seek, Slide and protect your family from skin cancer.

Protecting babies and toddlers

All babies under 12 months should not be exposed to direct UV and should be well protected from the sun.

Download the brochure SunSmart Countdown [pdf 1.14M] for more information on protecting young children.

Download Sun protection for babies and toddlers [pdf 99K] for some great advice about the best ways to protect your preschoolers.

FAQs about protecting babies and young children

Popular questions from parents about sun protection for babies and toddlers.

Protecting teenagers

Teenagers aren't great at protecting themselves. They worry about their image, feel covering up is a ‘hassle' and, most of the time, just forget.

Parental insistence and role modelling can improve their sun protection. They are also motivated by:

• the need to prevent the embarrassment of sunburn
• the need to prevent ageing such as wrinkles and sun damage
• health knowledge regarding skin cancer.

Here are some hints:

• Model good sun protection yourself by wearing hats, protective clothing and sunglasses, using sunscreen and seeking shade.
• Remind your teenager to protect themselves.
• Leave sunscreen and hats at the door.
• Allow them to choose their own hat, sunscreen, clothing, rash vests and board shorts, so the brand and style is acceptable to them.
• Time outings for early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
• Take shade to the beach.

• Email this page
• Print this article