Here in the UK we’re currently experiencing some of the hottest weather we’ve had for years and there’s no sign of it stopping yet, so the team at Lemonjelly have put together some useful tips and tricks to help you and the smalls in your care stay safe in the sun.

We are loving the sunshine, but know how important it is to keep everyone safe. If you’re getting out and about this summer, here are our top tips for safety in the sunshine!

 

Cover up and slather on the sun cream

• We all need protecting from the sun’s rays so apply sun cream generously to everyone before heading outdoors
• Use a high factor sun cream for children’s skin. Factor 50 is perfect – we try and use one that’s effective against UVA and UVB.
• Re-apply often throughout the day, particularly if the children are in and out of the sea or paddling pool.
• Always wear a wide-brimmed hat or one with a flap that covers their neck and protect their eyes with sunglasses.
• Don’t forget to protect your eyes. When buying sunglasses, try and ensure they meet British Standard (BSEN 1836:2005) and carry the ‘CE’ mark.

 

How you can all keep cool

• Opt for all natural, thinner fibres and fabrics
• Covering up is a great idea but keep babies cool in loose clothing and don’t overdress them
• Avoid the worst of the strong sun between 11am and 3pm
• Leave the flannel PJs in the drawer and don’t worry about letting children sleep in nappies or naked
• Pop babies in a light (0.5 tog) baby sleeping bag but if that’s too warm, a tightly fitted cotton sheet might work better.

 

Stay hydrated in the heat

• Dehydration can happen really quickly. To avoid, ensure everyone is drinking plenty of fluids
• If you’re struggling to get them to drink water, add a dash of fruit juice
• Make some fruit ice cubes or homemade lollies and jelly to keep their fluid levels up
• Breastfed babies don’t need to be given water as well as breast milk. You might notice they’re wanting to feed more frequently though
• Bottle-fed babies can be given cooled boiled water throughout the day in addition to their milk feeds
• Adults are just as likely to get dehydrated – avoid caffeine, booze and fizzy drinks.

 

Keeping cool in the car

• Cars get hot very quickly, so don’t leave a child or baby in the car unattended – even for a few minutes
• Open car doors and windows for a few minutes before loading the kids in
• Use sun blinds on the windows
• Seat buckles get so hot, so check them before strapping children in
• Keep a little snack in the car and a couple of bottles of water, just in case you break down or get stuck in a summer madness traffic jam.

 

Splish splash, having a laugh

• A great way to cool down is splashing about in the paddling pool – remember to keep a very close eye on a child – even a few centimetres of water can be a risk.
• Water play is so much fun – all you need is a big plastic bowl and some water! Try giving them dolls clothes to wash and peg out; or throw a few bath toys in!
• Water painting – a few brushes and a bucket of water, and children can experiment “painting” – watch it evaporate! Science in the sun.
• Freeze some small play toys in an old icecream tub and keep small people entertained trying to free their toys!
• Keep the pool / water play in the shade during very hot weather.
• To cool down before bedtime, give children a tepid bath.

 

Cooling down the house

• Keep an eye on the temperature with a thermometer (we love this one)
• Closing blinds or curtains during the day – with open windows if possible – will help keep bedrooms cool
• Use a fan to circulate the air around the room. If it’s really warm, try putting an ice bucket in front of the fan, or a wet towel in front of an open window.

 

We hope you have found some useful tips here to keep you and your charges cool this summer. If you have any more ideas, we’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below with your tips for staying cool, or send us a message on Facebook.