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Sun Safety

Getting out and about in the fresh air on a sunny day makes everyone feel good.

But it is very easy to get caught out and not be prepared for the strong sun rays that can cause painful sunburn.  Getting sunburnt as a child increases the risk of developing skin cancer when older.  Being sun safe makes sense.

Child Information
Adult Information
Looking after your skin and protecting it from the sun means you wont end up looking like a wrinkly raisin. It also means you have a better chance of staying healthy when you are grown up.

What’s wrong with getting sunburnt?

Well it really hurts for a start!  Your skin becomes red and hot and can even blister.  Not nice.

Spending a lot of time in the sun without using sun cream will increase the number of wrinkles you have when you are older so start looking after yourself now.

If you get sun burnt when you are young  it increases your chance  of getting skin cancer when you are older.

Protecting your skin is easy! It will make a HUGE difference in keeping your skin looking great.

  • Sun cream at least factor 30 SPF
  • Sunglasses
  • T-Shirt
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Take care during the hottest time of the day between 11am and 3pm
  • Don’t burn
Protecting your children's skin now is an investment into their future health

Babies less than 6 months should not be out in the sun.

There are lots of different sun creams on the market and it can get very confusing – different factors? – water resistent?- suitable for different ages? – once only applications?  It can be a minefield.

Look at the tips below and see if we have answered any of your questions.

Did you know?

  • A history of sunburn doubles the risk of melanoma & increases the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.
  • Malignant melanoma is now the commonest cancer in young adults aged 15-34.
  • Jersey has more people diagnosed with melanoma than anywhere else in Britain, rate per 100,000 population is 34.3% in Jersey, 19.9% in the South-west of England and 14.9% in the UK.
  • Rates of melanoma are classed as being ‘significantly’ higher in Jersey than the south-west.
  • Jersey has an average of 1,912 hours of sunshine per year – more than anywhere else in Britain.

What cream?

  • Babies under the age of 6 months should not be in the sun.
  • Use babies sun cream from 6 months to 18 months.
  • Use children’s sun cream  from 18 months upwards.
  • Water resistant cream is better because it is less likely to wash or sweat off.
  • Remember, most sun creams have a shelf life of only 2-3 years.

Babies under the age of 6 months should not be in the sun 

  • Babies should not be in the sun.  Of course, sometimes this is just not possible – especially when they are in their buggy.
  • Look out for the baby sun cream that has as few chemicals in as possible – you do not want your babies delicate skin to absorb any of this so if you have to use cream, use the most sensitive one possible.
  • Remember their skin is most at risk between 11am and 3pm so use the shade!

Cover up your baby with loose cotton clothing that has a close knit weave giving more protection.

  • Use a broad rimmed hat.
  • Protect their eyes with sunglasses.
  • Make sure they have plenty to drink.
  • Try and stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.

​Sun cream needs to be applied 30 minutes before going out into the sun

  • It should be applied generously every 2 hours – about a golf ball size for a small child.
  • Water resistant cream is better – less chance of it being washed or sweated off.
  • Use a T-shirt to cover up, but think – wet clothes let in a lot more harmful UV rays than dry clothes.

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