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Blow the Whistle on Sunburn!
Julia Bradbury supports the Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code, a new initiative helping keep kids safe in the sun
The long school summer holidays can be a daunting prospect and to break up the time, many of you rely on outdoor holiday clubs, providing kids with the chance to learn new skills, socialise and get them out of the house! However with children spending most of the day outdoors, ensuring they’re adequately sun protected all day can be tricky and at times, hit and miss.
As a result the Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund devised The Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code, designed to be implemented by all those who work outdoors with children, ensuring that kids turn up to sessions with the correct kit and are actively protected throughout the day.
This FREE online resource bank was developed by a leading skin cancer specialist alongside experts in physical education and child welfare, and is supported by over 30 national governing bodies of sport and outdoor activities.
Individuals or groups simply log on to the website http://www.oksunsafetycode.com/and follow simple guidelines based on three core elements; educating, protecting and leading by example. Once they can prove they have completed the required criteria, they can then use their OK Accreditation Mark.
When children attend sessions run by OK Accredited groups or individuals,
they will:
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Be required to arrive with the correct clothing and sunscreen
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Be taught how, when and why it is important to apply the correct SPF
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Have access to shade at break times and water throughout the day
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Have leaders and coaches who lead by example; building good habits for the future
The campaign was developed to tackle the rising problem of melanoma; the most deadly form of skin cancer. Rates in the UK are now more than five times higher than they were in the 1970s with more than 13,000 people developing the disease each year, compared with around 1,800 in the mid1970s.
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that with 80% of life time sun exposure occurring during childhood and that just one blistering attack can double the risk of getting a melanoma later in life, it makes sense to take kids sun protection seriously.
Julia Bradbury is the ambassador of the initiative and says: “I am a lover of the outdoors, but also aware of the harmful effects of the sun: so I am delighted to support this initiative. We owe it to all children to make sure they are sun protected.”
Why not ask your local club, group or coach to get involved, and help them blow the whistle on sunburn! For further details visit www.oksunsafetycode.com