Why Parental/ Caregivers' Support is important
- A school's sun protection policy will be most effective if representatives of the whole school community of Boards of Trustees, staff, students, parents and caregivers are involved in the development of the policy.
- Parents and caregivers' commitment to provide support and reinforcement of the policy will be necessary if it is to be implemented effectively.
- In some cases, it might be appropriate for parents to lobby the BoT (as parent representatives) to support the adoption of this programme.
Is sun protection necessary for all children?
While fair skinned children are most at risk from the harmful effects of UV radiation on the skin, children with darker skin are also at risk of skin damage. UV radiation also has a harmful effect on the eyes increasing the risk of eye damage and cataracts in both fair and darker skinned children.
Parent_Information_Sheet
How can I help to support the SSAP?
Being a role model
- Parents and caregivers need to demonstrate SunSmart behaviour by seeking shade, where possible, between the hours of 11am and 4pm, wearing effective sunhats, sun protective clothing, recommended sunscreen and sunglasses to reduce their risk of skin damage.
- By being a role model to children, parents and caregivers reinforce the SunSmart policy and practices occurring at school.
Reinforcing SSAP within the school
Parents and caregivers have an important role in supporting the SSAP including:
- Being involved in the development of the school's sun protection policy.
- Providing sunscreen and sun protective clothing for your child in accordance with the school's sun protection policy.
- Demonstrate sun protection behaviour when involved with the school e.g. wearing an appropriate hat.
- Encouraging your child to adopt sun protection behaviour both at school and out of school.
- Advocating for and supporting efforts to increase the provision of shade in the school grounds e.g. fundraising for shade provision.
Reinforcing the SSAP when away from school
Sun Protection outside school hours
- During the daylight saving months, ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are at their highest between the hours of 11am to 4pm. It is important to protect the skin from the sun during this time.
- Children can be exposed to very high levels of UV radiation when away from school on week-ends and school holidays. It is important that parents and caregivers reinforce the SunSmart behaviours to protect children when they are not at school.
(Click here for more information on UVI)
Sun Protection after school
A SunSmart Accredited school will have a sun protection policy to protect children from sun exposure between 11am-3pm. As high levels of ultraviolet radiation occur until 4pm, children need to be protected for the 3-4pm time period after school. To protect your children after school:
- Provide appropriate hats and sunscreen (broad spectrum, SPF30+) if they are outdoors between 3-4pm. This includes the time when children are walking home from school or playing sport or other outdoor activities.
- Schedule outdoor activities for after 4pm when radiation levels are lower. Encourage indoor activity or used shaded areas from 3pm-4pm.
- If your children attend an after school care programme encourage the programme supervisors to develop a sun protection policy to protect children between 3-4pm.
Sun Protection at outdoor events
While it is best to avoid sun exposure during the peak UV times of 11-4pm some summer activities, such as sport, require children to be outside during these times. Where children and spectators are required to be outside for events such as athletics, tennis, cricket, cycling, swimming or any other outside activity it is very important to protect them from the sun in the following ways:
- Use available shade as much as possible e.g. while having a break from the activity. If shade is not available bring your own portable shade, such as a sun umbrella.
- Encourage event organisers to provide shade such as portable sun shelters sun, umbrellas, tents etc. for use by participants and spectators between events.
- Provide children with a wide brimmed or bucket style (min. 6cm brim) hat, or if the activity prevents hat wearing apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen to the face, ears and neck.
- Provide children with clothing that is comfortable and that provides sun protection e.g. elbow length sleeves and collars and longer length shorts or long trousers.
- Apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen to all areas of the body that are not protected by clothing.
- When children are swimming outdoors, use SPF30+ broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen and protect them with a rash suit, a rash shirt or a wet suit.
- When children are out of the water, encourage them to seek shade, where appropriate.
- Encourage staff, parents, caregivers and other adults to practise SunSmart behaviours in order to protect themselves and to act as role models by reinforcing the SunSmart behaviours.
How to be SunSmart - slip, slop, slap and wrap
SLIP into a shirt - and slip into some shade, especially between 11am and 4pm when the ultraviolet rays are most fierce.
SLOP on some sunscreen before going outdoors.
- Put sunscreen on any skin not covered by clothes.
- Choose a sunscreen that meets the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS2604.
- Use an SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen. Wipe it on thickly at least 15 minutes before going outdoors.
- Reapply; do this 15 minutes after the first application to ensure complete coverage, and also after physical activity, swimming or towel drying.
SLAP on a hat with a brim or a cap with flaps. More people get burned on the face and neck than any other part of the body, so a good hat is important.
WRAP on a pair of sunglasses. Choose close fitting, wrap-around glasses that meet the Australian Standard AS1067.
