How can parents strike the right balance between outdoor play and sun protection?

Fears are rising for children that play outside in the sun after parents are warned that even small doses of sun exposure can cause DNA damage.

While the merits of outdoor play for children are clear, there are increasing concerns for children that spend time outside, especially during school trips and excursions where outdoor play is always heavily encouraged.

Despite the damaging effects that the sun can have on children’s skin, time spent in the sun is important as it helps children to produce Vitamin D, as well as remain healthy and active.

Sven Miller, Sales Manager said: “As the weather heats up across parts of UK, parents should be encouraging their children to spend time outside in the warm weather to boost their mood and contribute to their overall health.

“This, however, needs to be balanced with adequate and effective sun protection, which can come in the form of sunscreen, hats and clothing. It’s also a good idea to encourage children to take breaks from the sun by spending time sitting in the shade, especially when the sun is at its warmest.

“We can also offer children another kind of protection in the form of our reusable wristbands. These are ideally suited to children that are going away on school trips or excursions. Parents can write their contact details and the name of their child on the wristbands, ensuring that if they get separated from the group their family can be contacted easily.”

A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology recently discovered that children only require small amounts of exposure to the sun in order to ensure Vitamin D sufficiency. These findings give even more reason for parents to ensure appropriate sun protection and shorter lengths of time outside in the sun are always considered.

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