Sun Safety This Summer
This beautiful weather we've been having in the UK this week makes going on holiday seem almost pointless! Temperatures have reached above 30°C, making our little island feel like a Mediterranean dream!
When we're on holiday, us brits are known for one of two things; either slathering on suncream like we're painting a wall, or convincing ourselves we don't need it because we want that golden tan... then spending the rest of the holiday looking like red lobsters.
However, surveys show that when we're in our home country more than half of us forget those all important rules to keep safe while enjoying the sunshine. Without the forward planning that goes into preparing for holiday, it's easy to miss those things we're usually well aware of!
For us here at The Outdoor Classroom, summer is our favourite season! Although we're massive advocates of embracing outdoor learning in all weathers, we can all definitely agree that exploring the beautiful outdoors is the most enjoyable in the lovely summer sunshine. We strongly believe in the benefits of outdoor learning, but we need to make sure we're being sun-safe while we're outside.
Unprotected exposure to the sun comes with a huge list of potential health risks, and we want to make sure that everyone out there using our app is well protected for safe sun fun! So here are our top tips to remember when you're getting ready to go outside: Slip, Slop, Slap, Slurp!
Slip
Slip on a t-shirt, or something to cover up! Think about the direction of the sun - if the rays are beating down on you from above, the first thing it meets are your head and shoulders. Even with suncream on, these parts of our body can have quite delicate skin, especially in our young people. So throwing on a light t-shirt or cover-up at least between 11am-3pm when the sun is at its strongest goes a long way in avoiding sunburn.
Slop
Slop on that suncream! The higher the SPF protection the better. It's not actually common knowledge that the number following the SPF indicator is actually a guide as to how long your skin is protected before you're likely to burn. Although bottles would recommend reapplication of suncream every 1-2 hours regardless of SPF, if you have sensitive or delicate skin be aware that your SPF indicator generally protects you for that amount of time. For example, SPF 30 only gives you 30 minutes of full protection!
Less is not more! We've all had those patchy sunburns or tans where we've missed that one random spot. Be sure to cover your entire body, even under your clothes as they might move throughout the day exposing unprotected skin.
Be sure when choosing your suncream that it offers both UVA and UVB protection, and follow the guidelines on the back of the bottle closely. Different brands and formulas work differently, so while one cream may recommend about 1tsp per limb, others may recommend much more!
Slap
Slap on a hat! When you're wandering around in that lovely sunshine, remember that the first thing the rays meet is your head! Often it can be a pain to pop a bit of suncream on your scalp to avoid burning, which is recommended but rarely followed.
The best thing to do in this case is slap on a hat! This will protect your delicate head from the sun's harsh rays, avoiding sunburn on your scalp and looking cool while doing it!
Slurp
Slurp that water! Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration or even heatstroke. Although an ice cold fizzy drink or fruit juice can be a great cool when you're parched, remember that it's good old H2O we need to keep our bodies properly hydrated, so try to opt for drinks that have a high water content. If you or your little ones aren't fans of plain old water, dropping in a little sugar free cordial works a treat!
So those are our tips for keeping safe in the sun! We hope you're having a wonderful time out there soaking up the great outdoors, remember to keep safe and enjoy exploring!