Enjoy the great outdoors while protecting your children’s skin from harmful rays during this summer in Suffolk

With weather experts already predicting that Britain is set for the hottest summer ever, it would seem that there is no time like the present to stock up on your sun tan lotion and knowledge in order to keep you and your children safe this summer.

So throw away last year’s stock as the Met Office has warned that we should all prepare ourselves as temperatures over the next three months are expected to reach the mid 30s.

But it’s not all about sun lotion, you should also be mindful of other safety measures, which will help prevent your children’s skin from burning.

So what can you do? Here are five helpful tips:

Slather on the sunscreen

With children’s skin being so fragile and smooth, you wouldn’t want the sun’s harmful rays to damage it would you? So always apply lotion to your child before they head outside even if you think it doesn’t look that sunny. And if they head into the paddling pool, don’t forget to reapply it.

You’ll also need to apply it regularly, irrespective of them going into the water, as the factor in the lotion or sprays only lasts so long as a defense against the ultraviolet sunlight.

Choose a high factor

Make sure you select a lotion or spray containing a factor of 30 and above as your children’s skin needs protecting for the future.

It is also a good idea to select a product that is a broad spectrum type as it will help block UVA and UVB sunlight.

Don’t forget to protect their lips and scalp too. You can buy sun lotion sticks or products suitable for other areas such as the tops of ears and noses, which are most likely to burn.

Don’t forget to wear a sun hat

It may seem obvious, but your child should wear a sun hat to help protect not only their scalp from burning, but also their head from getting too hot. The brim or peak also helps protect their eyes from the sun’s rays.

Look fabulous while staying safe

It’s also a good idea to dress your children in appropriate clothing. Although it may be tempting to allow them to wear strappy tops, it also means their shoulders are more exposed to the sun. But if they do want to wear something like this, then make sure they have a little cardigan or light wrap so they can cover up to prevent further exposure.

Avoid peak times in the sun

We all know that the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm, so it makes sense to avoid it during these times. So make sure you get the paddling pool out later in the day or first thing, to avoid the risk of getting sunburned.

For more advice on staying safe in the sun, visit www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Sunsafe.aspx