Be Safe in the Sun

by Lesley C Hind

Edgar was eager to go out and play
On a nice hot sunny summer day
"You need to have some sun screen on"
Dad shouted but Edgar had already gone

That night as Edgar lay in bed
His back was very sore and red
He didn't know which way to turn
For the nasty sting of the hot sun burn

Dad, wouldn't let Edgar go out to play
Until his sunburn had faded away
For Edgar a lesson had been learnt
It wasn't cool to get sun burnt

The annual school trip came around as planned
Edgar stood ready with sun cream in hand
His dad slapped the cream on from head to toe
Making sure that it covered the skin on show

He wore his loose T-shirt, long shorts and a hat
Packed up his sun cream, sunglasses and mac
"You'll have skin like a prune instead of a plum,
If you don't take care when you play in the sun"

Before you go out on hot sunny days
Protect your skin from UV* rays
Apply high factor for kids sun cream
To coat your skin with a protective cream

* Ultra Violet radiation / Ultra Violet rays in the sunshine causes damage to the skin.

PREVENTING SKIN CANCER AND MELANOMA IN LATER LIFE

In the summer months between May and September
People rush out to enjoy the sun's splendour
The sunshine is hottest between 11 and 3
Find a nice shady spot or play under a tree

Children and babies with skin soft and fair
And those who are freckly with blue eyes and blond hair
Have skin that is easy to burn and turn red
So they should wear a total sun block instead

If you've been in the pool in the sea or the showers
Re-apply sun protection cream every 2 hours
Each time you get wet you wash it away
So keep putting it on to keep sunburn at bay

Wet clothes let through the suns harmful rays
So have some dry clothes to change into for play
Reflection from sunlight on snow, water and sand
Can also burn skin so have sun cream at hand

It's cooler up mountains but sunrays are strong
Remember to put lip balm and sun cream on
Water sports, ski-ing and fishing are fun
But seek shade and relief from the heat of the sun

A tanned skin is damage that's caused by the sun
Looking sun burnt and leathery isn't much fun
Whatever your colour, skin type or race
Slap on the sun cream, prevention is Ace

If you fancy a tan to make you feel nice
A false tan is safe and cheap at the price
Its much safer applied from a tube or a jar
And your own pale soft skin will be healthier by far

Don't go on sunbeds they're as harmful as sun
Without stepping outside you'll look cooked and well done
We all need good sunlight with its vitamin D
But you can still get your dose sitting under a tree

Sunshine makes us feel healthy and cheery
Without it we would all feel sad and weary
So enjoy the sun and take it steady
With the sun cream, sunglasses and hat ever ready!

Remember ...

Without your sun cream your skin will fry
And you'll look like a chip all crisp and dry!

BE SAFE, TAKE CARE, BE SUN AWARE

Six out of ten melanomas are cause by UV (ultraviolet) sun damage.
Over exposure to UV rays in sunshine, in childhood can lead to skin cancer/melanoma in later life.
Skin cancer/melanoma is not common in children, but sun damage in childhood is a major risk factor.