We love the sun in the summer and the joy it brings, but it is essential to protect our children and ourselves. The sun is a star that it is made up of atoms that collide with each other, which causes the sun to release a lot of heat and to release it in the form of radiation, or energy.
What is radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation is the suns energy that travels through space at the speed of light (incredibly fast) in the form of waves or rays. Depending on the extent of sun exposure, there are different types of rays.
There are two types of sun rays important for planet earth, the so-called visible light, which we can see illuminate our earth, and ultraviolent rays.
Why do we need the sun?
Not only does it keep us warm, plants use the energy to make their own food and in the process release oxygen which human beings need to survive. The sun aids skin in producing Vitamin D which helps the formation of our bones, reduce cholesterol, and improve blood circulation.
Although we have so many benefits from the sun, ultraviolet rays can also be harmful. If we expose ourselves too much to this radiation, it can cause serious damage to your skin and eyes. For this reason, we must protect ourselves properly from the sun to avoid overexposure and sunburns.
7 Ways to ensure children can safely enjoy the sun
- Do not expose newborns directly to the sun during their first year of age. Also sand, water, and grass reflect solar radiation between 5-20%.
- Keep children in the shade when UV rays are at their strongest. In Ireland, this is generally from 11am to 3pm.
- Cover up with clothes as much as possible. Clothes under the sun should be loose, preferably cotton for breathability and always dry as wet clothes let more solar radiation pass through the skin. Wear a hat that has a wide brim and gives shade to the face, neck, head and ears. A tie under the chin may stop young children from taking off their hat. Children should wear wraparound sunglasses that give 100% UV protection or are CE marked.
- Wear sunscreen, but sunscreen alone is not enough. It should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that gives UVA/UVB protection. Make sure it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50+, high UVA protection and is water resistant. Choose a sunscreen (sprays, lotions, creams and mists) that the child likes using. Put plenty of it on dry skin 20 minutes before they go outside, especially to those areas not often exposed to the sun.
- Constant games inside and outside the water make a sunscreen resistant to water, sweat and friction necessary. However, it is recommended sunscreen is reapplied at least every 2 hours.
- Hydrate children correctly. Drink plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated by the heat of the sun.
- Be a good example by exposing yourself to the sun responsibly and safely.
3 Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on a shirt to protect from the sun, a normal cotton shirt (12 SPF) protects less than sunscreen (minimum of 15 SPF). And if the shirt gets wet, the protection drops to 8 SPF.
- Not wearing sunscreen on cloudy days, UV damage can happen on cool or cloudy days – up to 90% of UV rays can pass through light cloud. If you’re spending time outdoors, there’s no question about taking along your favourite sunscreen, even when the sun’s not shining brightly.
- Not reapplying, one application of sunscreen is not a magic potion that protects you all day long. The golden rule is re-apply sunscreen at least every two hours, more often if you perspire heavily or go swimming.
Remember ,do not let your guard down after summer, because solar radiation is dangerous all year round.
At Nutty Scientists, we have workshops on solar protection, raising awareness in a fun way about the influence of the sun on the existence of life on earth as well as the dangers of solar radiation.