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

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Created for NIVEA

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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

Always use Factor 50 protection, wear a hat and sunglasses and plenty of fluids.

shade is the thing I can only really rely on - and choosing times of day carefully. It doesn't seem to be mad midday sun anymore though - rather 4pm feels hottest. Maybe not most harmful rays tough - I don't know any more.

Whether in the back garden or on the beach or around a swimming pool abroad on holiday always take your own suntan cream/lotion with you as it can be dearer at other locations. That's the first tip.

But nowadays I always buy a FACTOR 50 due to 12 years ago I got prickly heat and didnt know what it was and since experimenting myself found that factor 50 must do the trick and I have never ever suffered since changing and upping it. Had various items from the doctor but none that actually had worked only after the symptoms the various lotions or sprays would ease the itch but not stop it completely.

And its always paying that bit extra and always buy Nivea ones as used to buy this brand when my 2 children were young and look out for the pack of 3 for when they are on offer prices.

We try to limit time in the sun when it's at its hottest. Sit in the shade and wear a high factor suncream.
When children are playing on the beach ensure they are wearing tea shirts to cover their skin. Buy them some fun sunglasses and hats for further protection.
When they have been in the water, re-apply suncream lotion. And make sure they keep hydrated by drinking lots of water which has been kept cool in a 'cooler container'.

To get sun cream on kids use a big makeup brush! Gets in all the crevices, soft on their faces, tickles their neck and your hands don’t get sticky!

Go to Scotland. No heatwave here, but there is beautiful scenery!

I always use the 12 hour stuff for my kids which saves faffing repeatedly. But best is the solid roll-on I use on their face, neck etc. and for top-ups. By far the easiest way to apply - and my 7 year only can do it himself without ruining his clothes!

Put sun cream on before getting dressed in the morning. Regular drink and sun cream breaks.

Lots of sunscreen renewal , particularly after playing and getting all hot and sticky

High factor Sun screen and a wide brimmed hat. And generally keep out of the sun if it's intense. The latter is usually not a problem in Scotland!

I find locking them in the cellar all day as well as night usually helps!

try and put sun cream on as part of your daily skin care routine so it doesn't get forgotten and then we keep a basket of sun hats/caps and sunscreen by the front door - this seems to help us remember!

Bucket hat (damp), sun screen, and if my little ones are out in the paddling pool, jumping in and out - an all in one UV suit. Ice pops and juice, and shade in the midday sun - we love a picnic in the UV tent in the garden

Apart from SPF50+ suncream, hats and parasol for shade - we like frozen fruit in drinks and chilled fruit salad to snack on! 🍉 So refreshing!

Don't forget to reapply sunscreen, it's best to top up every couple hours...also for young uns get a hat with a flap to protect the back of the neck.

We tend to buy a couple of parasols on holiday so we have the option to have our own shade if there aren’t any on the beach we are visiting. Important to have breaks from the strong sun. Some great tips here!

Definitely rash/UV vest tops and 'all day' sunscreen. And we have 3 rules on sunny holidays- wear a hat, wear sunscreen and drink lots of water. (After that I'm less worried if they eat lots of chips!)

think Ahead checking the forecast regularly for changes/updates and adjust outdoor plans when possible. Drink water regularly and apply sun cream properly

choosing to sit in the shade - of a building, under a parasol or a tree etc instead of in direct sun whenever possible.
This is in addition to all the sun hat, sun cream essentials.

don't forget to put your suncream on 20 minutes before going outside! for kids, it can be good to use the coloured stuff so you can see where you've managed to get.

and cover up wherever possible (anything from tight-fitting sunsuits to loose, long sleeved tops), especially over the hottest period of the day.

I bought this beach tent recently. I literally couldn’t love it more! Pull a string and the whole thing pops up. Press it to collapse it. Our previous one was smaller and had to have the poles threaded through - no easy feat on a blustery beach. This is so easy literally takes a few minutes to repack on its carry bag. We live in a place with great beaches but seriously unpredictable weather. I’ve used it three times now and fallen more in love each time.

Rash vests/long sleeve swimsuits for DDs. One DD is seriously allergic to regular sunscreen so only having to use madly expensive stuff on her lower half is a win.

Decent sun hats.

Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Dark Shelter Pop Up Beach Tent Sun Shelter with UPF 50+ UV Protection for Kids & Family Sky Blue amzn.eu/d/dR7zH8G

www.dunnesstores.com/p/leigh-tucker-willow-sunny-long-sleeved-swimsuit---years-/5084155

Keep the sunscreen by the front door, apply even if it's a bit gloomy in the morning before school otherwise it's guaranteed blazing sunshine as soon as they get through the gate!

Always wear a hat or rub suncream into your parting line to avoid a burnt head! Sun cream is non negotiable - no matter how much kids try and make a fuss - I've never made a game of putting it on, just as I never turned eating into a game.

Try never to get sun burn, but if you do soak in a cool bath with tea infused (five bags) into it soothes and relieves the discomfort. The tea can be black or green.

Lots of spf50 sunscreen. Dont forget the back of the neck! Reapply after swim/bath. Hat with wide brim to protect the face. Long sleeved (if possible) but loose and light clothing like cotton. Find a spot in the shade. Bring bottles of water and use a cooler/flask/metal bottle to keep it cool longer. Use sunglasses. Avoid midday sun if possible