Keeping Safe in the Sun

By Categories: News

The UK temperatures have soared this week reaching over 30 degrees in some areas of the country. sun
There have been some stories in the news about travel chaos and people not taking care of themselves so here are some top tips for getting out in the sun and still enjoying yourself!
Use a suncream on all exposed areas.
The sunscreen needs to protect against both UVA and UVB and needs to be factor 15 or above.
The sunscreen must not be past the expiry date as it won’t work as well.
Reapply the sunscreen after swimming and towel drying – even if the sunscreen states that it is water resistant – it won’t protect as well once it has got wet.
Wear suitable clothing
Wear a large brimmed hat so that it covers the neck as well as the face.
Wear long sleeves and trousers/skirts that don’t let the heat through
Wear sunglasses with the CE mark and European Standard EN 1836:2005
Children
Take extra care with children as their skin is much more sensitive
Between March and October in the UK children should stay in the shade between 11am-3pm
Wear appropriate suncream. Suncream made for children will be made specially for sensitive skin.
Cover up with suitable clothing and hat
Babies under 6 months should not be in direct sunlight at all.
Do not lay a blanket over a baby’s pram to shield them from the sun, use a parasol or specially designed pram/pushchair screen. The Independent did a study where they found that prams with a blanket on were over 10 degrees hotter after 30 minutes than those without a blanket.
How to treat sunburn
Take painkillers, either paracetamol or ibuprophen to ease the pain.
Sponge sore skin with cool water then apply aftersun or calamine lotion
If you feel unwell, or if the skin blisters or swells seek medical advice.
In cars
Never leave babies, children or dogs in cars in the heat. The temperature in a car can double very quickly. 37 babies or children die every year from being locked in a car or getting into a car on their own in hot temperatures.
Make sure that you take plenty of water for car journeys in case you are stuck in traffic or the journey takes longer than expected.
Sources:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/travelhealth/Pages/SunsafetyQA.aspx
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Health/Sun-Protection.pg_0.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/uk-heat-sun-pram-stroller-parents-blanket-over-baby-pram-in-hot-weather-put-their-children-at-risk-a7145311.html

Heatstroke