l children enjoy playing outside in the sun and heat, and staying in the sun is both healthy and pleasant, but too much sun can cause sunburn. And once the skin is red, the damage has been done. So remember the right protection when your child is going in the sun, and teach them to deal with the sun with a good dose of common sense.
Here are 10 tips for safe play in the sun:

1. Wear protective clothing: Dress your child in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers their arms and legs.

2.Use sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen that is Nordic Ecolabelled, unscented and allergy tested. A broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your child's skin before they go outside.

3. Wear a hat: A wide-brimmed hat will help protect your child's face and neck from the sun's harmful rays.

4. Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses will help protect your child's eyes from the sun's UV rays.

5.Seek shade: Encourage your child to play in the shade, especially during the hottest part of the day.

6.Stay hydrated: Make sure your child drinks plenty of water to stay hydrated while they're playing outside.

7.Limit exposure: Avoid having your child play in the sun for extended periods of time.

8.Avoid peak hours: The sun is at its strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so try to plan outdoor activities for earlier or later in the day.

9.Check for heat exhaustion: Look for signs of heat exhaustion, such as fatigue, dizziness, headache, and muscle cramps, and move your child to a cooler place if necessary.

10.Teach your child: Teach your child about the dangers of sun exposure and the importance of wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen. Provide shaded playgrounds (e.g. under trees or awnings, parasols in prams). Remember that even in the shade you can be exposed to UV radiation from the sky or UV reflection from water, sand, concrete or grass.



NOTE: Infants must be placed in the shade. Children under the age of 2 should completely avoid staying in the sun.
(Source: Derma & the Children's Accident Fund, the Cancer Society and the Tryg Foundation's Sun Campaign)