Temple Street strongly urging parents across the country to protect babies and children from sun related injury during intense heatwave
Temple Street’s Emergency Department (ED) has seen spike in presentations of serious sunburn in children over last week
(Tuesday 2nd July 2018 @ 1330 hrs) Temple Street Children’s University Hospital is issuing an important nationwide appeal to parents today to protect their babies and children from intensive UV rays during this heatwave, which is predicted to continue for at least another week.
The advice from Temple Street, in line with the Irish Cancer Society’s SunSmart campaign, is as follows;
BABIES
- Always keep babies under six months in the shade
- Make use of shade that is around you and use extra shade for prams and strollers as needed
- Make sure the shade casts a dark shadow
- Make sure babies are covered up: Dress babies in loose-fitting outfits with long sleeves and long shorts. Make sure they are made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through
- If babies are kept in the shade and covered with clothes you will only need to use a small amount of sunscreen on the areas not covered with clothes. This can be reapplied every two hour.
- Choose a sunscreen that is made for children and babies. Make sure to patch test it on their skin first. If their skin reacts to the product stop using it straight away, and try a different brand
- Offer the baby plenty of cool drinks
- Keep your living space as cool as possible – keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped. Close curtains that receive morning or afternoon sun and turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment – they generate heat
OLDER CHILDREN
- Where possible keep children out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- Keep older children safe by following the SunSmart Code (https://www.cancer.ie/reduce-your-risk/sunsmart/code), especially children with pale or freckled skin that does not tan or burns before it tans, children with red or fair hair and/ or a large number of moles
- Find a hat a baby or child likes to wear. Make sure it has a wide brim that gives shade to the face, neck, head and ears. A tie under the chin may stop them from taking it off
- It is important that children, as soon as they can, wear wrap-around sunglasses that give UV protection
- Only use sunscreen on those areas of the skin that cannot be protected by clothes or a hat
- Use Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and UVA protection
- Choose a sunscreen (sprays, lotions, creams and mists) that the child likes using
- Put plenty of it on dry skin 20 minutes before they go outside and reapply every two hours
- As far as it is possible plan outdoor events so that children can be in the shade when UV rays are at their strongest from 11am to 3pm
- Offer children plenty of cool drinks
- Keep your living space as cool as possible
Dr Ike Okafor, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital said “If you think your baby or child has been affected by overexposure to the sun, for example if the baby or child appears dizzy, weak or is complaining of intense thirst or a headache, please go to your GP or local Emergency Department without delay as this could be an indication of heatstroke which can develop very suddenly and rapidly and is extremely dangerous”
For more information on Temple Street’s Emergency Department, please visit https://www.cuh.ie/children-families/emergency-children-and-families/
OTHER TIPS FOR KEEPING BABIES AND CHILDREN SAFE FROM THE SUN
- It is best to avoid getting too hot in the first place. Stay tuned to the weather forecast
- Always consider babies and children first as in addition to older people, they are at more risk from the ill-effects of the heat
- If you’re planning to travel, check the forecast at your destination.
- As a parent, sprinkle water over your own skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.
- Keep plants and bowls of water in the house as evaporation helps cool the air
- If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping
- Electric fans can help but only if temperature is below 35C.
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