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Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code

With the summer season in full swing and thousands of children across the country engaged in an array of outdoor activities, sun safety will no doubt be a key concern for activity organisers and instructors. Yet with so much to think about, it is not always easy to keep sun safety front of mind.

Every year a significant number of children and youths suffer accidental sun damage while taking part in outdoor activities, even in the seemingly innocuous British summer sunshine. Figures from the Skin Cancer Foundation estimate that 80% of lifetime sun exposure happens in childhood and just one case of blistering sunburn can double a person’s chances of suffering from melanoma in later life. With statistics published by Cancer Research UK indicating that annual cases of melanoma are now five times higher than they were in the 1970s it is clear that action needs to be taken to halt the current trend.

The Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code aims to develop and support sun protection practices for all those who work outdoors with children. Launched by the Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund, this is a free online resource, providing all the information you need to develop and implement an effective sun protection policy, complete with accreditation to demonstrate your commitment to this important issue. Promote safe sun practices, protect those in your care and safeguard your reputation by visiting OK Sun Safety Code for more information.