The health service issued advice for families with young children on its official website
Parents are advised to follow a ‘rule’ at certain times of the day, according to the latest NHS guidance on its website. The health authority’s website includes advice on sunscreen and sun safety for people living in the UK, including guidance for families to follow from March onwards.
The month marks the beginning of spring, with the Met Office explaining that meteorological spring begins on March 1 and astronomical spring begins around March 20 in the UK. The change of seasons marks longer days and warming temperatures.
As such, NHS advice to ‘spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest’ comes into force. The NHS says: “In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October. Make sure you spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.”
Parents are also advised to ‘take extra care with children’. Emphasising the importance of protecting children from the sun, the NHS shares specific guidance for families with babies and children.
What does the NHS say about sun protection for children?
The NHS website states: “Take extra care to protect babies and children. Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life. Children aged under six months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.”
The advice continues: “From March to October in the UK, children should:
- cover up with suitable clothing
- spend time in the shade, particularly from 11am to 3pm
- wear at least SPF30 sunscreen
“Apply sunscreen to areas not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands.” If children go swimming, the NHS adds that it’s important to use water-resistant sunscreen and reapply it straight after getting out of the water, as water washes sunscreen off.
How can parents protect children’s skin?
Cancer Research UK says parents can help look after children and teenagers in several ways. Advice on the charity website explains: “Sun safety is important at all ages. The best way to protect adult or children’s skin is to use a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen.
“Remember, sunscreen doesn’t give complete protection from the sun. It always needs to be used together with shade, clothing, a hat and UV protection sunglasses. Apply sunscreen regularly and generously, using a minimum of SPF 30 and a 4 or 5 star rating.”
The guidance continues: “Sunscreen should not be used on babies under 6 months old, so think about shade and covering them up with clothing. The NHS recommends that babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.
“Children and teenagers might need a reminder or a helping hand when it comes to sun safety. But setting a good example yourself is a great way to help them learn how to be safe in the sun.”