It finally seems as if summer has arrived! As much as we all want to be able to enjoy the good weather and have lots of fun, it’s absolutely vital that we all stay safe in the sun!
There are NHS guidelines that make recommendations about the best way to stay safe in the sun, a few of the most straight forward, vital ones are as follows:
- Wear suncream. Suncream protects the skin from burning and from the harmful UV rays that the Sun releases. Sun cream should be reapplied regularly throughout the day, and for children it should be a high factor and/or suitable for sensitive skin.
- Wear a hat. Again, another basic suggestion. Wearing a hat helps to keep your head cool and protects your face from the sun.
- Cover up/wear suitable clothing. It may seem odd, but the best way to avoid sunburn is to cover up in the sun- the clothing must be suitable, not too heavy or thick, but lightweight. This also aids in preventing skin cancer.
- Drink plenty of fluids, and not only water. Drinking water is essential, as it replaces the water that is lost when you sweat. However, it doesn’t replace the sugar, salts or electrolytes- so sometimes it is important to drink more than just simply water: squash, fruit juice, milk/shake etc are just as vital too.
- Avoid going out in the hottest part of the day. The sun is at its strongest between 12pm-2pm, so it’s best to avoid going out during these times.
- Stick to the shade/take regular breaks. Going out in the sun is a joy, and you should absolutely make the most of it! You also must take regular breaks in the shade though; this gives your body time to recover and cool down.
We, as a sports company and childcare provider, obviously like to get children active and outdoors too where possible. But we too follow these sensible guidelines, not only for the children, but for our staff too. The health and well-being of the children we look after and the staff that work with us are paramount; so we follow these simple suggestions.
During our clubs and wraparound sessions we take regular water/drinks breaks, refill the water bottles of the children, take regular breaks to rest in the shade and so on- we even remind the children to put sun cream on! And of course, if it becomes too hot or too sunny to stay outside then we go inside and change our plans; we’re always prepared to change our plans at a moment’s notice to help the children have a nice time and stay safe.
For further information follow this link: