Sun protection

Last updated: 01 November 2007

Sun safety

The time has come again for the great Aussie tradition: all day barbeques in the summer sun! However, be sure your barbeque is the only thing that is roasting! Everyone from young children, adults and the elderly need to remember the importance of being safe in the sun this year.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world and everyone should be taking care in the sun to protect themselves from dangerous ultra-violet rays this summer.

In particular, adults need to be educating their children about the potentially harmful affects of the sun's rays from an early age. Children receive half a lifetime dose of ultra violet rays in their first 15 years.

It is vital that parents protect their children from the outset by teaching them the importance of slip, slop, slap. This simple concept has been promoted to young Australians for over 20 years and is just as true today as it have ever been.

Protect yourself and your children from the sun

Parents need to encourage their children to:

• Seek shade between peak UV times (10am to 3pm during daylight savings)
• Wear sun protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible, especially shoulders, arms and legs
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect the face, ears and neck
• Apply SPF 30+ broad spectrum sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside or swimming, and re-apply every two hours
• Wear sunglasses that fit well and wrap around the face.

Australian culture involves a great deal of recreational activity, so parents really need to consider ways to reduce sun exposure to their children when playing outside.

Plan to be outdoors before 11am or after 3pm in daylight saving time. Between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, the sun is at its strongest and the risk of skin damage is at its highest.

In conjunction with other sun protection measures - such as clothing, hats and sunscreen - shade is your best option for keeping your skin safe. Avoiding direct sunlight and opting for shade, such as trees or shelters, is one of the most effective ways of reducing sun exposure.

It is also important to remember that you can never be too young to don a pair of UV protection sunglasses. Damage to the eye caused by ultra-violet radiation can cause vision impairment and, in some cases, blindness. Cancer can also develop on the surface of the eye and surrounding tissue. Try to choose a pair of sunglasses that block out 100% of UV for the best protection.

The NSW Cancer Council works closely with NSW Health on sun protection issues.

Related Links

• NSW Cancer Council - SunSmart  http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=1920