HELPFUL HINTS FOR FAMILY LIFE Sun safety tips ahead of Easter weekend

Temperatures across the UK are climbing – just in time for the long Easter weekend. Here’s how to ensure the whole family stays protected while enjoying the sun – whether you’re gardening, partying or just basking in the warmth of a long weekend…

1. Make hats your thing

A hat is one of the best ways to keep heat and sun off your head, ears and neck – particularly as few things are more annoying than a burned hairline.

Even if you think hats don’t suit you – neither does sunburn, so take the plunge and rock a cap or wide-brim hat.

2. Sun cream needs to be everywhere

You may be covering your back, face and shoulders with sun cream, but forgetting some important areas might lead to a painful burns. Make sure you cover everywhere, including often forgotten spots like behind your ears, the back of your neck and the tops of your feet if you are wearing sandals.

You might want to consider reapplying sunscreen every few hours, particularly if you’re outside all day and sweating. Kevin

Troy, founder of Coraline skincare, suggests using a minimum of SPF 30 for children.

3. Opt for waterproof sun cream

While sunscreen is unlikely to be fully waterproof, the ones that claim they are should stay on a lot longer than non-water-resistant alternatives. If you plan on going to the beach, or letting your kids play in the paddling pool, waterproof sun cream should help them stay protected a bit longer.

4. SPF in your make-up might not be enough

If you’re applying make-up to go to a BBQ, you might be tempted to skip sunscreen – particularly if your products contain SPF.

However, Troy says: ‘SPF make-up can potentially make people a little complacent. To me, it makes more sense to apply your SPF separately and reapply if you will be spending a longer period of time in the sun.’