Tips and advice for staying safe in the sun
Posted on 5th September 2018
Last month we put out a shout out to all our fabulous splash parents in order to gather the best tips and advice for staying safe in the sun. We know the best advice comes from real people and real parents, not some marketing graduate in an office and you have done us so proud! If we could we would show all the advice that was entered but then it would be 100 pages long! So we have chosen a select few (plus our two winners) of our favourite entries. We hope you enjoy and find them as useful as we did…
MarTina Mik
- Cover your little one as much as you can, including sun hats and UV swimsuit
- Use sunscreen. Best with no chemical filters, those in supermarkets not really the best choice. Use non nano uncoated Zinc Oxide, as it’s not chemical filter and saves environment as well.
- Plenty of water but be careful not to drink cold water as it’s the worst you can do in hot weather for your body and especially your baby’s body
- Snack, Bucket, Sunshade tent and you’re good to go
Melanie Feltham
Make a game out of putting cream on. We ask our little one to count the squirts of cream or how many he wants on each part of his body so he has some control. We also let him see us put cream on - advice; make it fun (meltdowns will happen). Also making a shade den is a good tip - however- we've only managed a parasol this year- I'm in the middle of sewing a teepee right now - but will use the sheet over a washing line tip any day. Ohh and lots of hats to choose from -2 year old likes choice! Haha
Becki Jo-Ann
Keeping out of the heat at the hottest part of the day is important, especially with little ones. Making sure you have well and frequently applied suncream with a 5 star uva and uvb rating is a must, as is keeping your skin covered with loose clothing. Always make sure you have a hat on too! Keep hydrated, but be careful not to drink icy water as this can actually be harmful especially for little ones. Be safe and make sure your sunny days are enjoyable!
Margaret Gallagher
1st and foremost: SPF - cover up with cotton / UPF clothing and hats with childproof sunglasses too
2nd: Teach water safety
3rd: Always ensure one person is watching at all times on the beach. Do it in turns
Common sense to say – don’t let your children go out to far in the sea especially with inflatables.
Katherine Howard (Was Shore)
In addition to the usual - high factor sun cream, hats, correct uva sunglasses, good swimwear with a high UPF rating, plenty to drink, get a flannel and soak it in water, then freeze it. Take it out in the morning and put into a plastic bag (in a freezer bag if possible for longer use) and take it out when you go out with little ones. Give their face a cool wipe for a nice cool break from the heat. Works a treat x
Gemma Louise Davies
My children love to wear the sunscreen bands which monitor uv sun exposure and change colour to let you know when to reapply sunscreen and when to cover up and get out of the sun. My daughter also has a doll (Sonny Ciccibello Doll) which actually tans when he is left in the sun- however these marks magically vanish when the doll is no longer exposed to sunlight! I think being sun savvy is of upmost importance.
Beth McQuade
Cover head to toe in protective clothing. Apply sun cream at least half hour before going out. A decent hat that covers the neck and ears.
Regular suncream application...
And on top of that staying safe in the water with a parent always watching. Swimming between the red and yellow flags. Learning the dangers of the water!! (I’m a baby and pre school swim Teacher)
Joanne Atkins
If going to the beach you can take a cheap shower curtain dig a little pool in the sand line it with the curtain and fill with a little water for a perfect size baby pool anywhere on the beach keeping your little ones cool! To keep baby safe from the sun while they play in it take a pop up UV tent without a base (or cut the base out) and place it over your little pool so it’s safe and in the shade!
Such excellent advice! We also just want to say a huge thank you to everyone that entered. We’ll be a lot safer in the sun next year after reading all your advice!
Happy Splashing!