One severe sunburn as a child more than doubles the risk of skin cancer later in life.

Sun clothing is a smart alternative to sun lotion. Many people wear their sun protection clothing even when they are not swimming outdoors, like in an indoor swimming centre. Some also wear their sunsuits as casual clothing in the summertime (like at the shopping mall), sometimes with a shirt over the top, and a pair of sneakers or beach sandals.

The Burning Situation

About 80% of skin damage occurs during childhood. Too many parents aren't adequately protecting either themselves or their children from the sun's harmful rays. Although they are aware that sun exposure is dangerous, they let their kids play unprotected near the water, where reflection almost doubles the intensity.

The Simple Solution

Dress your children in long pants and long sleeve tops to protect them from head to toe. If normal clothes are not allowed in swimming pools use those stylish lycra swim shirts which provide good sun protection, both wet or dry. They are efficient, convenient, colourful and cool to wear, like suncreen that won't wash off. Make sure they are comfortable so your kids enjoy swimming in them. Try them in the bathtub first. It'll be fun.

Sun Safe Children

Parents should be aware that kids pick up on their habits and attitudes. Men, more so than women, still believe that a tan looks good and that older children who are tan look good. So we have to work on our male friends.

Just one or two blistering sunburns can significantly increase a child's risk for developing skin cancer later in life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Dark-skinned as well as light-skinned children are at risk.

Blistering sunburns are the most damaging in terms of causing melanoma. But chronic sun exposure, day in and day out, contributes to other types of skin cancer like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, the most common types of malignancy.

Overcast Days still have 80% risk

Even on an overcast day some 80% of the UV rays still come through. Not a lot of people know that. Many parents only use sunscreen on children only when the weather is sunny. They tend to rely on sunscreen as the primary method for protecting their children from the sun, as opposed to keeping them in the shade or dressing them in protective sun-safe clothing.

Kids under 16 are most vulnerable to skin damage. People accumulate somewhere between 50% and 80% of lifetime sun exposure by the time they're 16 years old.

The average child gets three times more sun exposure as the average adult every year from playing outside. The amount of time a child should be allowed outside varies greatly depending on skin type.

Simple 45° Shadow Rule

Any time your shadow is shorter than you are, those are high sun-exposure times. Kids especially, should seek the shade or cover up.

Using multiple sun protection methods to maximises effective sun protection. Use sunscreens to cover the areas that are exposed, like the face, the hands. Be smart with the sun. Don't rely just on sunscreens for protection.