Slip Slop Slap

The weathers a wow at the moment, with warnings about the burn factor on local english radio every day. Despite this the lobster brigade are very much in evidence especially around the pool. Its not advisable to be out sunbathing between 11 and 4 when the sun is at its hottest. Babies under 12 months should be kept in the shade and covered up with a high factor sun lotion or sunblock. Young children should play in the shade, and make sure they wear sunhats and a high SPF lotion. Protecting children from the sun not only prevents painful sunburn, it also significantly reduces the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Babies skin is very much thinner than adults. Infants have thinner skin and underdeveloped melanin, their skin burns more easily than that of older kids. However sunscreen should not be used on babies under 6 months of age, so they absolutely must be kept out of the sun. When you do go out dress him or her in clothing that covers the body, including hats with wide brims to shadow the face. Use an umbrella to create shade.
Its alarming to see very young kids in the pool or anywhere else for that matter, without hats or adequate shade. With the sudden increase in the temperature there have been some alarming incidents of adults getting very serious burns, falling asleep out in the sun seems to be a favourite. So be like the Australias:
SLIP SLOP SLAP. Thats slip on a teeshirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat.