Be a SunSmart family

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Know your UV | Sun protection behaviours | Sun protection tips

 

Family of five people sitting on a picnic blanket under a shady tree, wearing sun protective hats, sunglasses and sun protective clothing

Families love being outdoors and being active. But being outdoors means you and your family can be exposed to UV radiation.

To protect your family’s health and create habits that your children can carry with them through life, make sure your family know when the UV hits 3 and the best ways to cover up from UV.

Learn more about UV

Know your UV

If the UV is 3 or above, make sure your family uses five forms of sun protection by wearing a hat, clothing and sunglasses, applying sunscreen and enjoying shady areas outdoors to give you extra coverage.

Download the free SunSmart Global UV app so you always know when to protect yourself and your family from the sun's UV.

Download the free app

Role model for sun protection behaviours

Parents and carers are powerful role models.

When you use all five forms of sun protection, not only is it protecting you, it means children are more likely to use them too.

Make sun protection part of your daily routine to show how to be SunSmart.

Develop independent sun protection behaviours

Help make sun protection a part of the daily routine and encourage children to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.

Guide children to choose SunSmart clothing, create a sunscreen station for easy application before going outdoors, make sure hats and sunglasses are within reach, and promote outdoor play in shaded spaces.

Find out more about SunSmart at school

Sun protection tips for families with babies and children

Outdoor time is great for babies and young children. To make it a positive experience, cover up and protect their delicate skin from harmful UV radiation.

Create a barrier between the skin and UV using loose-fitting clothing and hats. Stay in shady spaces and out of direct sun when the UV is 3 or above.

For those small parts of skin you can’t cover with clothing, use SPF50 or 50+ sunscreen on babies over six months. 

Clothing

If you can see skin, UV can reach it. Clothing can be a great barrier between the sun’s UV and your child’s skin.

Try to cover as much skin as possible with cool, loose-fitting clothing made from densely-woven fabric like cotton.

Sunscreen

If trying a new sunscreen, it is recommended to do a patch test first on a small area of skin.

Regular sunscreen use on babies under six months is not recommended.

If babies are kept out of the sun and protected from UV, sunscreen only needs to be used on very small areas.

For older children, set up a station at home so children can apply their sunscreen in front of a mirror and put a clip-on sunscreen on their backpack so they can reapply when at school.

Hats

Choose a hat that shades the head, face, eyes, ears and neck.

Bucket, wide brim or legionnaire hats are best. Caps and visors do not provide good UV protection.

For babies, choose a hat fabric that will crumple easily when they put their head down.

Shade

Babies under 12 months have very sensitive skin and should always be kept in shade and out of direct sun when UV is 3 or above.

Take portable shade with you like a beach umbrella or a shade tent.

Add extra shade to a pram using a UV protective mesh cover.

Sunglasses

Some young children may be reluctant to wear sunglasses. You can protect their eyes by putting on a wide brim hat and staying in the shade.

Sunglasses designed for babies and toddlers may have soft elastic to keep them in place.

 

Learn more about all five forms of sun protection

Sun protection tips for families with teenagers

Exposure to UV radiation during childhood and adolescence is more likely to lead to skin cancer later in life.

How can I talk to my teenager about having a tan?

Talking to teenagers about UV radiation and the damage it causes to skin cells can highlight the risk of being outdoors without sun protection.

When skin starts to change colour – what people often call a ‘tan’ – that’s a clear sign that damage is being done.

Damage caused by UV radiation is the single biggest factor in skin’s health and appearance, leading to premature ageing and skin cancer.

There is no such thing as a healthy tan.

How can I talk to my teenager about sunburn?

Sunburn is a sign of UV damage and even after the initial pain, peeling and colour goes away, the damage will linger.

UV exposure adds up over time. Skin remembers and records all UV exposure and DNA damage leading to an increased risk of skin cancer.

Sunburn and almost all skin cancers can be prevented by using sun protection.

Find out more to end the trend