SunSmart

Children need sunlight to help produce adequate levels of vitamin D to protect them from a variety of undesirable health outcomes.

At Leaps & Bounds, we use a combination of sun protection measures, particularly when clear sky UV Index levels reach 3 or higher and ‘Sun Protection is Required’ as advised by SunSmart .

Scroll down for tips of how to be SunSmart…

Be SunSmart

Slip on sun protective clothing

Choose clothing that covers as much skin as possible (think shirts with long sleeves). Some clothing may carry an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), which is a guarantee of how much UV protection a fabric provides.

Slop on SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen

Apply sunscreen to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before you go outside. You will need around seven teaspoons of sunscreen for your whole body. One teaspoon for your head and neck, one for each limb, one for the front of your body and one for the back of your body.

Always make sure to re-reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming, towel drying or if you work (or work out) outdoors and are likely to be sweating. Remember, sunscreen is your last line of defence and should always be used in combination with the other measures.

Slap on a broad-brimmed hat

Choose a broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket style hat which shades your face, nose, neck and ears, the common sites for skin cancers. Caps and visors do not provide adequate protection.

Seek shade

Use trees, shade structures, or use a gazebo or umbrella with a high UPF designed to offer sun protection. Shade reduces UV radiation, but it can still reach you via reflection, especially around water, so make sure you use shade in combination with other sun protection measures.

Slide on some sunglasses

Sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat worn together can reduce UV radiation exposure to the eyes by up to 98%. Choose close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses, that meet Australian Standards.