Shaded Nation

Children across the UK are being encouraged to get creative to promote sun safety.

Cancer Research UK and Nivea Sun have combined to create ‘The sun has got his hat on’ competition, which will encourage school children to use the phrase in their own poem, song or even a rap to help them remember the ‘Key Steps to Sun Safety’.

The steps are:
1. Spend time in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm
2. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and t-shirt
3. Wear sunscreen and re-apply regularly, especially after swimming, sweating or changing clothes
4. Drink water to stay hydrated
5. If your own shadow is shorter than yourself, this means the sun is at its strongest and protection is needed

Pupils that compete in the competition stand a chance of winning a world weather workshop for their class, as well as a weather station for their school. The winning pupil will also receive Toys R Us vouchers for their entry.

One of the best ways to ensure your child fulfils the first of the Key Steps to Sun Safety is to install a shade sail. These attractive and durable structures are regularly used in gardens, schools and other public venues to provide shade from strong sun.

Here at Shaded Nation, we only sell high quality shades that are scientifically proven to block up to 98.8 per cent of harmful UV rays, meaning you can be sure that your child is well protected when underneath one.

Staying safe in the sun is incredibly important, as sunburn is one of the major causes of skin cancer, a disease that is affecting a worrying number of people each year.

One woman who survived the condition has recently started a campaign of her own to promote awareness of the issue.

Julie Foster of Widnes, Cheshire has set up the Safe Fun In The Sun project alongside fellow survivor Laura Newland, the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News reports.

The duo have designed sun bags that include a legionnaires hat and factor 50 sunscreen to be worn by local children at break times, during PE lessons and on school trips.