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While warm summer weather creates many chances for outdoor fun, it also introduces additional risks for young children. Here are some of our top tips to help keep them safe this summer.
Whether you're heading to the beach, playing in the park or out in your own garden, it is really important to think about sun protection for children. Check out our sun safety tips for children to help everyone stay protected and enjoy the sunshine while you’re out and about.
Stay in the shade when possible
It’s advisable to keep children out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Try to make it a routine to stay indoors between 11am and 3pm, or use options like a parasol or play tent to create shaded areas when outside
Use a good sun cream
Ensure your child is protected with sun cream on all exposed areas of skin, apply it generously and remember spots like their shoulders, the back of the neck, ears, nose, cheeks, and the tops of their feet. Opt for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and a minimum 4-star UVA rating.
Keep topping up the sun cream
Try and apply sun cream on your child at 30 minutes before heading outside to play, remember that you'll need to reapply regularly throughout the day, especially if they've been swimming or paddling.
Always pack a sunhat
Encourage children to wear a floppy sunhat that protects their face and neck whenever they're out in the sun. Wearing a hat yourself can help persuade a reluctant toddler to follow suit, and hats with chinstraps can be very useful if your child likes removing their hat!
Drink lots of water
Make sure children have plenty of water available throughout the day, especially in warm weather. Encourage them to drink regularly - particularly when they've been active and playing.
NHS - sunscreen and sun safety
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In the garden
If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space to play it can be great fun for the children in the summer. But not all gardens are child-friendly and it’s important to be aware of the dangers.
- Make sure chemicals like weed killer and fertiliser are kept away from curious youngsters and garden tools are locked away in a shed.
- Avoid children of very different weights jumping on trampolines together. It can cause accidents. And, use a net to prevent falls.
- Supervise young children around water at all times whether that’s a hot tub, paddling pool or pond
Learn more about staying safe in the garden this summer
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Did you know the humble hosepipe can present one of the health risks during warm weather. Hosepipes which are incorrectly fitted, or left submerged in places like ponds, watering cans or paddling pools and cause illness, this is because the dirty water can ‘backflow’ into the drinking water supply and has the potential to make you ill. Also keep your hose somewhere cool and out of the sun before use, as direct sunlight can heat the water inside up to 54-60 degrees Celsius (130-140 degrees Fahrenheit). This is hot enough to cause severe burns, particularly, to children and animals. Let the water flow for a few minutes to cool before spraying on people and animals.
Watch out for open windows
It’s great to open windows and balcony doors and let the fresh air in. But please remember that a small child’s head is heavy compared to their body. That means they can easily topple. Plus, they have no real understanding of danger. So,
- Keep low furniture away from open windows so that children can’t climb up and fall out – even on the ground floor
- If you can, install window catches (to limit how far they can open) and locks
- If you opt for a lock keep the keys somewhere you can find them in case there’s a fire and you need to get out
- If your window won’t lock or you need to open the window wider because of heat or cooking, don’t leave young children alone in the room
Learn more about the dangers and how to keep children safe
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Splashing around is a great way to cool down but remember that babies and toddlers can drown in very little water so they need you to stay with them near water at all times.
Even older children who can swim can easily get into difficulties. So, teach them to choose safe places to swim like public pools or beaches with lifeguards. And, explain the dangers of swimming in open water, including strong currents, deep, cold water and things under the surface they can’t see.
Visit our drowning page for more tips and resources on water safety this summer.
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It’s important to keep your baby cool and out of direct sun. But remember that buggies and prams should never be covered with blankets, cloths or any cover that prevents the air from circulating. This can lead to overheating and increases the chance of SIDS.
Instead:
- Stay in the shade as much as possible
- Use a clip-on parasol or sunshade to protect your baby from the sun, but make sure that air can circulate and you are still able to see your baby
- Monitor their temperature to avoid overheating. You can do this by feeling their chest or back of their neck, if their skin feels clammy, this is a sign they are getting too hot.
For more top tips on keeping your baby cool this summer visit Lullaby Trust
BBQ season is here and we can’t wait to enjoy eating outside again. Just remember a BBQ and the ground underneath it can stay hot enough to cause a serious burn for a long time after it’s been used.
So, stay alert and keep children well away from the cooking area until it’s completely cooled.
The same can be said about fire pits. They may even still be hot enough to burn the next day!
If you’re heading to the beach beware if you or other people are using disposable BBQs on the sand. If not properly cooled, the sand can hold the heat well after the BBQ has been removed.
In recent years we have seen lots of cases of children with severe burns from on their feet from unknowingly stepping on scorching hot sand while playing.
Discover more about preventing burns and scalds including what to do in an emergency
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