HSE issues warning to parents over sun threat as children go back to school

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland have issued a reminder to parents to continue to be sun smart and protect children's skin from sunburn as the summer ends and schools are back. 

As Met Éireann predicts a sunny weekend ahead, the HSE's warning serves as a reminder that the sun's UV rays continue to be strong throughout September and the risk of causing skin damage remains high. 

The HSE states: "Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, even in September, increases the risk of sunburn. Children’s skin is very sensitive to UV rays from the sun. Sunburn during childhood increases the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. If your child is badly sunburned more than 3 times before the age of 20, they more than double their risk of skin cancer as an adult."

According to Specialist in Public Health Medicine for the HSE National Cancer Control Programme Dr Breeda Neville says that it is not enough to use protection measures against UV rays in sunny days alone. She adds: "Playing and spending time outdoors is such an important part of childhood but it is crucial that children are protected and safe in the sun."

READ NEXT: REVEALED: Latest list of storm names announced by Met Éireann as autumn and winter approach

Here's how you can protect your and your children's skin:

To protect your skin from the strong UV rays this September, you can follow the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s:

1. Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible, wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts, clothes made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through.
2. Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection and is water-resistant. Reapply regularly. No sunscreen can provide 100% protection; it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade.
3. Slap on a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and neck.
4. Seek shade: Sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.
5. Slide on sunglasses: Guard your eyes against harm by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.

For more information and to learn how to protect yourself and your family’s skin from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer in Ireland, visit the SunSmart hub at www.hse.ie/sunsmart and check out #SunSmart on social media.