8 Tips to reduce your UVR exposure

April 13th, 2016 · Published to Shade Solutions by Steve Lewis

As an Aussie, no doubt you love the outdoors. However, being out in the sun for long periods of time increases the risk of skin cancer. The sun’s harsh UVR can cause damage to the skin, therefore you must do all you can to protect yourself and your children from the risk of cancer. Thankfully, there are several ways to do this. But first, let’s take a look at what UVR is.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the sun. UVR is quite harmful and it is one of the leading causes of melanoma skin cancer in Australia. Australia experiences the highest levels of UVR worldwide, given its geographical location and closeness to the equator. Thus, as an Australian parent, you must be conscious and take steps to protect your kids from UVR exposure.

Having been a shade structure specialist for many years now, I have learnt many useful tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from UVR exposure. In this article, I’ll share with you some of these tips. Make sure to follow them.

1. Avoiding the sun at its highest

UVR levels are at their peak between 10am to 3pm, when the sun is at its highest. By avoiding the sun at this time, you can dramatically reduce UVR exposure. Even if you do allow your kids out during this period, make sure they play under shade structures to keep them protected.

2. Sunscreen

SPF 30+ sunscreen offers great UVR protection. Before your kids go outdoors to play, apply a thick coating of sunscreen on all exposed parts of their bodies. Even if your kids are not protected by shade structures, properly applied sunscreen will keep them safe. Remember to reapply sunscreen after every two hours.

3. Clothing

When letting your kids outdoors, ensure that the clothing they wear covers most parts of the body, including the arms and legs.

4. Hats

While you may have clothed your kids well, the face, back of the neck and the ears are still at a risk of UVR exposure. Use broad brimmed hats or legionnaires hats to protect these exposed parts of the body, which can seldom be covered by clothing.

5. Sunglasses

The eyes need to be protected from UVR exposure as well and this can be achieved by making your kids wear sunglasses. Make sure you choose large sunglasses, which wrap around the eyes, offering maximum UVR protection.

6. Shaded areas

One of the smartest ways of protecting your kids from UVR exposure is by asking them to play in shaded areas. However, you must keep in mind that UVR is reflected of many surfaces and even though your children may not be under the direct sun, they are still at a risk. You should make use of the other methods of UVR protection I have mentioned above even if your kids play in shaded areas.

7. Temperature levels

A common misconception is that if it is cloudy outside, or if the temperatures drop UVR levels decrease. This is not so. Your kids face the same UVR levels even if it is cloudy and on lower temperature days. Make sure to keep this fact in mind and keep your children well protected even on such days.

8. Use shade structures

Shade structures offer the ultimate UVR protection. Structures such as shade sails, awnings, canopies and outdoor umbrellas are made out of special materials that are capable of blocking out up to 99% of harmful UVR rays. At Global Shade, we offer a range of shade structures that can keep you and your kids protected from the sun. Install our shade structures around your home for the best possible UVR protection.

By taking necessary precautions, you can dramatically reduce your children’s risk of UVR exposure. However, it is not possible to supervise kids all the time, so a wise idea is to install one of our shade structures around your home. With high UVR block capacity, our solutions are the best ways for you to keep your kids protected while letting them enjoy the outdoors.

Conclusion:

The sun’s UVR is the leading cause of skin cancer in Aussies. As a mother, you must make sure that your kids are protected from the sun. Make sure that your kids avoid playing outdoors when the sun is at its highest. Always ensure to apply a thick coat of SPF 30+ sunscreen on your kids before letting them outdoors. Make sure that your kids are well clothed, complete with hats and sunglasses. Remember that even on cloudy days and low temperature days; UVR still manages to reach the earth. So make sure to instruct your kids to play in shaded areas. Also, installing shade structures around your home is a great way to keep your kids protected.