Share your tips for staying safe in the sun - £200 voucher to be won

[BellaMumsnet]

Created for NIVEA

This sponsored discussion is now closed

Whether it’s turning sun cream application into a fun game, buying your child a hat that they love too much to take off, or taking a pop-up beach tent big enough for everyone to squeeze into for days at the seaside, share with us below your top tips for protecting your family from the sun.

· Post your tips on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw
· One lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice

Here’s what NIVEA Sun has to say:

“NIVEA Sun is the UK’s number 1 suncare brand and partner with Cancer Research UK to share important sun safety information with the public. Together we ask everyone to 1) Seek Shade 2) Cover Up 3) Apply Sunscreen.”

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

[ceecee32]

More important for me this year than ever, not been in the sun for 2 years after chemo and a transplant.

Loads of high factor, wear a hat, use a parasol, cover up (a bit !). Back inside when it gets too hot...

Read a book in the sunshine

And this is in my own garden - can't wait

[Antarcticant]

A large cotton scarf makes a good cover-up on the beach without being too hot and clingy like a t-shirt. Wear it like a shawl to cover your shoulders and arms.

[NippyWoowoo]

Wear sunscreen.

[MumC2141]

Once daily sunscreen with high SPF

[Cotswoldmama]

Always slather on the sunscreen. Wear sunglasses and a hat. We use a tent on the beach as well as parasols and windbreaks to make a shady den.

[sharond101]

Always wear a hat and never be fooled with low factor sun cream, protection is more important than tanning, you can fake a tan!

[Dizzywizz]

Always wear a hat! And don’t forget to redo Suncream when you’ve been in the water.

[mindtheGAAP]

always check how long your sunscreen has been open for and replace accordingly. Use plenty of sunscreen with a high factor and sun protection rate. I like the Nivea roll on sunscreen for my kids - the colour helps to know where you’ve applied already.

[kateandme]

Bottles of squash,ribena in the freezer so they get slightly slushy.its really upped drinking pleasure so keeps them hydrated.
Get them to keep taking shade.move the blankets etc.
Paint their facial sunscreen on first like a then use the song heads shoulders knees and toes.miss places "right where have I missed I don't think anywhere?....)
Take snacks everywhere
Keep fed and watered.
Make wearing a hat the norm from the off.

[BristolMum96]

Always check the star rating on sun cream, not just the spf value

[LidlCinnamonBun]

I apply a light layer of sun cream to my face and hands every morning (even if it’s raining) to keep the sun away. Then I apply make up as usual.

[AnchorWHAT]

Sew a large cotton hanky to the back edge of your or your childs hat to protect neck from the sun.

[tillytown]

Use a sweat resistant sunscreen, and use the time you are applying sunscreen to check for bumps, lumps and moles, that way it's easier to spot any changes on your skin

[ElEmEnOhPee]

Where a hat, sunglasses and use a high factor sunscreen (as well as keeping hydrated).

Also, if you happen to have a lot of moles (as I do) then take some photographs of them so you have something to compare them with when checking them for any changes every month or so (I check more frequently in the summer months).

[RomainingCalm]

Apply DC's sun cream in the hotel room before getting dressed. Let them run around with no clothes for a few minutes so it 'dries'. Much easier than trying to do it at the pool with distractions and swim shorts on.

(Obviously needs to be reapplied but at least you know they've had a really thorough application to start the day)

[voyager50]

I always cover up completely as I am very fair skinned and I always wear a hat

[MotherofPiggies]

I use factor a high spf moisturiser on my face and neck from March to October. Sunscreen, sun hats, sun glasses, covering up with a t shirt, staying in the shade and plenty of water for children.

[Justleaveitblankthen]

Factor 50 suncream on my face and neck. Neck is most important as my face is pretty much covered with huge sunglasses and a hat. Baseball cap pulled low usually. On the beach or at a pool, complete sunblock on the very fragile décolleté. It wrinkles so easily!
High factor waterproof suncream everywhere else re-applied regularly.
For the first few days of holiday, only head to the beach in the evening around 5.30 - 6pm, for an hour/hour and a half and mostly swim. Explore the region during the day. 🏖️🌞

[Justleaveitblankthen]

Oh, and take small bottles of frozen water in cool bags and allow them to defrost throughout the day 🤓

[CatNamedEaster]

Set a good example to kids: if we force them to wear a sun hat and SPF cream, then we do the same. It gives me hope that they will carry on the good habit when they are older (as they will see it something you just do, instead of it being another boring parent rule that parents don't abide by).

[Ishka]

Putting sun cream on myself as well as the kids - showing them it's non negotiable!

Using the mist/ spray sun protection on the kids as they hate the feeling of a the cream in a bottle.

Encouraging them to sit in the shade where possible.

Rash vests when swimming

[JennyWren87]

Always wear factor 50. Even if you're only managing to apply once a day at least you're guaranteed high protection.

[buckley1983]

Sunny days are here again! :)
We wear sunscreen daily during the summer - paying special care to neck, chest & face. Hats are great & a shady spot to retreat to when it gets too warm!
If you're on the beach/by the pool - reapply after bathing.
On a really hot day - try to stay out of the direct sun during 11am - 3pm when the sun is strongest.
Otherwise - run around & enjoy the Vitamin D!

[DoNutSweatTheSmallStuff]

Wear factor 50 (I do this as well as the DC)
Cover up
Stay out of midday sun
Find shade
Stay hydrated

[jellybeanpopper]

Suncream, stay covered with light cotton clothing, stay in the shade when sun is overhead, sunglasses. STAY HYDRATED!