Broad is best when it comes to sun hats.
As children all around the country head back to school this week it is important to remember to make sun safety a top priority.
Studies predict that two out of every three Aussie kids at school today will be diagnosed with skin cancer later in life.
While we are all aware of the dangers of the harsh Australian sun, just under half of all NSW children are still going to school wearing baseball caps that leave their ears, cheeks and back of neck exposed to dangerous UV rays.
Skin Cancer Protection Manager at Cancer Council NSW, Vanessa Rock stresses the importance of broad brim when choosing hats for children.
“We’re encouraging all parents to ensure their child’s school hat is sun safe and they can do this by replacing their baseball caps with broad brim or bucket style hats to provide them with the best coverage from the sun this summer,” she says.
Before you pack their school bags for the new term follow these simple sun safety tips to ensure your child will be protected from the sun’s rays.
Top SunSmart tips for school:
- Apply sunscreen to your kids in the morning and put a tube in their school bag for them to reapply throughout the day.
- Don’t forget to apply to the neck, temples, ears, lips, face and nose as these are the most common sites of skin damage and cancer.
- When choosing a school hat: Remember that broad brim, bucket style hats or legionnaire provide the best coverage from the sun.
- Encourage your school to implement the free SunSmart Primary School Program by Cancer Council NSW – they offer sun safety measures such as scheduling outdoor activities outside of peak UV times, wearing broad brim hats, access to sunscreen, access to curriculum resources and providing information to parents and the community.
These figures are alarming but they can be reduced if parents take precautions now while their children are young.
For more information please log on to www.cancercouncil.com.au
