School’s back after the summer break and there’s one lesson students will do well to remember.
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Students are outside during meal breaks when the sun’s rays are at their worst, which makes it important to take precautions.
Two in three schools in NSW are SunSmart schools and Maitland Public School is among them.
“The children are pretty good,” Maitland Public School learning and support teacher Leanne Wilson said.
“The kids understand that it’s no hat, no play and they help us enforce that,” she said.
Year 6 student and school parliamentarian Lachlan Martin has health and safety in his ministry, which is a responsibility he takes seriously.
“I usually go around at the assembly and remind them to wear their hat or go under the covered outdoor learning area],” he said.
The students are encouraged to play in the shade and generally avoid over exposure to the heat.
The students have welcomed the addition of a new water fountain, which was a parting gift from the 2014 year 6 graduates, worth more than $5000.
“It’s important to drink water so we don’t get dehydrated,” Jordan Tunua said.
More than 2000 Australians die every year from melanoma.
While the risk of developing skin cancer does increase with age, young people are far from immune to its effects.
Melanoma is the most common cancer for people aged between 15 and 40.
Cancer Council NSW encourages schools and parents to support the successful Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide campaign to protect children against melanoma.
Slipping on some protective clothing isn’t too much of a problem for kids as most schools have a uniform policy to adhere to, but stick with clothing that covers as much of the body as possible, with sleeves and a collar.
Slopping on sunscreen should be part of a child’s daily schedule. Make sure you use SPF 30+ or higher, broad spectrum sunscreen, that’s water resistant for swimming lessons.
Give your kids a small tube of sunscreen to carry in their school bag or one that clips on their lunchbox to remind them to reapply at break time and before walking home from school.
Slapping on a hat is the easiest sun smart move your kids can make. Many schools have a no hat, no play policy, but if your school does not, or does not include a hat in their uniform, make sure your kids wear a broad brimmed, UPF50+ hat that shades the face and neck.
Seeking shade reduces the amount of the UV from the sun your children are exposed to and also provides a cooler place to play. Try to get your kids to stick to undercover play areas or areas with lots of trees, and find out if your school schedules outdoor activities outside peak UV times.
Sliding on sunglasses protects sensitive eyes.
Look for sunglasses that are a category three rating for good UV protection and high sun glare reduction.
Cancer Council’s National Sun Survey suggest the downward trend in sunburn since 2003/04 has hit a hurdle, with Australians becoming more complacent about the dangers of excessive exposure to UV rays.
In NSW alone, it is predicted that as early as 2016 the rate of melanoma will be on the rise, with at least 13 people diagnosed daily.