The Sins of Too Much Sun: Is Your Family Getting the Right Protection?

We all know that too much time spent in the sun is damaging for your skin. It can lead to an increased risk of cancer and it causes dehydration. Yet, just because you understand this does not mean that everybody does. Young children, for instance, have to be taught to associate time in the sun with protective measures, such as putting on sunscreen, keeping hydrated and resting in the shade.

For those with young families, sun protection is paramount. Young skin is extremely vulnerable – much more so than adult skin – and it burns quickly. Therefore, children should not be allowed to play outside in sunny conditions without sunscreen. It is best if they wear a hat and sunglasses to protect their eyes, drink plenty of water, and return to cooler areas for regularly breaks.

Keep reading for some valuable tips and tricks on how to keep your family safe in the summer, whether you are indoors or outside.

Keep the House Cool

There is much emphasis on sun protection outdoors, but staying safe inside is just as important. Over the last few years, the popularity of security doors in Melbourne has soared, primarily because they perform a dual function.

Not only do they make it harder for intruders to enter when the main doors are open, but they also support healthy airflow. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but the best have a sturdy structure which allows fresh air to circulate when the security door is engaged.

Slip, Slop, Slap

Your little ones have probably been taught the ‘Slip, Slap Slop’ rules at school as well as at home. This jingle remind kids that, in summer, it is important to ‘slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen, and slap on a hat.’ All three of these things can protect a person from sunburn and sunstroke.

Don’t forget to add sunglasses and take regular breaks in the shade, too. If you are going out as a family to the beach or a park, it is best to pack bottled water. That way, if you get to your destination and there’s no kiosk, café, shop, or drinking fountain, there’s no risk of dehydration.

Apply Sunscreen Correctly

Every year, many people suffer from sunburn because they have not applied their protective lotion properly. It is not a magical substance that lasts all day. For maximum protection, you absolutely need to be periodically reapplying your sunscreen. This is especially important if you are around water.

The sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, so this is when you need to be extra vigilant. Call the kids back inside for a sunscreen check at least once every two hours. As well as this, swimming, sweating, and playing will naturally wear the coating down. Apply to all exposed body parts, including the back of the neck, tips of the ears, forehead, and feet if playing barefoot.

Learn to Love the Shade

It can be difficult to get young children to understand why the sun is a danger. All they want to do is play outside with their friends, and they do not always appreciate being made to sit indoors during particularly sunny conditions. Nevertheless, taking regular breaks in the shade is essential.

Make sure that your home has protection from the worst of the afternoon heat. Invest in thick (but lightweight) roller blinds, so that air circulates but the sun stays out. Security doors are a great addition because they allow you to keep your front and back doors open without compromising on safety. It is a quick way to lower the temperature inside the home.