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Schools

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Sun Safety/UV Exposure

The health risks of being exposed to UV radiation, from the sun or from tanning equipment, far outweigh the benefits. Children and youth receive up to 80% of their total UV life dose before the age of 18 (Health Canada). When individuals expose their skin to UV rays – whether from the sun, tanning beds, or sun lamps – there is an increased risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Canada, and one of the most preventable.

For more information on Sun Protection, click here. 

Whole School Approaches 

To promote a healthy school environment and encourage sun safety, consider the following activities as part of your health and well-being action plan:

Create a Sun Safety Policy

  • The Canadian Cancer Society SunSense program offers a “how-to” guide for schools along with free tools and resources to assist in policy implementation.

Raise Awareness

  • To support staff who are teaching sun safety, consider workshops, conferences or inviting field experts to speak at professional development days.
  • Raise awareness among parents/caregivers and staff about the importance of role-modeling and encouraging students to follow appropriate sun-safety practices.

Promote a Sun Safe Environment

  • Develop a school shade strategy and/or design for shade and energy conservation.
  • Develop a campaign using the SunSmart website. The site outlines an internationally recognized skin cancer prevention program including the Slip! Slop! Slap! Campaign (Cancer Council Victoria, Australia).
  • SunSense Certification: The Canadian Cancer Society has introduced a SunSense Certification program for schools. The Certification celebrates schools that have created a sun-safe environment to protect students and staff from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The program provides FREE downloadable resources such as teaching guide, parents/caregivers letter, policy guide, activity sheets, and poster. Additional tools are available to registered schools. NOTE: changes to the SunSense for schools program are in progress. More details are inticipated soon.

Educator and Classroom Resources

Since children and youth spend a large portion of the day at school it is essential to not only provide education about the importance of sun safety but also to consider how the school can provide a sun safe environment for students when they are outdoors. During the school day it is important that children be active and get fresh air, but the health concern of over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation needs to be addressed. Exposure to UV radiation in childhood can increase the chance of developing skin cancer in the future. The health risks associated with excessive sunlight (UV) are largely preventable! 

As an Educator, you are an important role model and in a unique position to start the conversation about the importance of UV radiation protection.
  • Sun and Ultraviolet Radiation – Grades 9 - 12. The Canadian Cancer Society’s website contains credible background information on sun safety topics such as indoor tanning, the UV index, preventing skin cancer, vitamin D supplements and more.

For Students, Parents and Families

There are many ways to engage students in sun safety initiatives, such as:

  • Actively engage students in creating sun safe vibrant, rich environments by planting trees to create a healthy ecosystem and habitat as part of the Ontario EcoSchools certification program.
  • Invite student feedback and engage them in activities to create and implement a school sun safety strategy.
  • Organize theme week or month activities e.g. in May to celebrate Sun Awareness Month.
  • Involve students to create posters, PA announcements, and/or newsletters for parents/families which include sun safety key messages.

Resources to share with students include:

  • Sun and Ultraviolet Radiation – The Canadian Cancer Society’s website contains credible background information on sun safety topics such as indoor tanning, the UV index, preventing skin cancer, vitamin D supplements and more.

There are many ways to engage parents/families in sun safety initiatives, such as:

  • Educate fellow parents/families about the importance of sun-safe practices through creation/addition of sun safety key messages in school newsletters.
  • Invite parents/families to share feedback and participate in activities to create and implement a school sun safety strategy. 

Resources to share with parents/students include:

  • Government of Canada: Sun safety tips for parents (English / French). On this page you will find information on why children are at risks as well as sun safety tips for children and teens.

Choose from the sample newsletter inserts below to share key messages with parents/families of elementary school students:

Sun Sense
When your shadow is short.
Stay out of the sun.
When your shadow is tall.
Go out and have fun!
Slip on a shirt.
Slap on a hat.
Slop on some sun screen.
Seek shade.
Slide on sunglasses!

strong>Stay Safe in the Sun

It only takes one bad sunburn in childhood to increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Follow these sun safety tips to keep you and your family safe this summer:

  • Check the daily UV forecast. When the UV index is 3 or higher protect your skin as much as possible. Limit your time in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. when harmful UV rays are present even on a cloudy day.
  • Cover up. Wear a wide brimmed hat that shades the face, neck, and ears and light-colored, loose- fitting clothes covering as much of the body as possible (e.g., long sleeved shirt and pants).
  • Use a “broad spectrum” “water resistant” sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply a generous amount to uncovered skin. Reapply after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Don’t forget a sunscreen lip balm.
  • Seek shade or bring your own, e.g., an umbrella.
  • Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses with UV-protective lenses.
  • Avoid using tanning beds or deliberately trying to get a suntan and avoid getting a sun burn. Remember no tan is a safe tan!

Use sources of vitamin D that are safer than exposing yourself to UV rays such as cow’s milk, fortified plant-based beverages, fatty fish like salmon and sardines, margarine, egg yolk, and fortified yogurt.

For more sun safety tips, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 to speak with a public health nurse.

Choose from the sample newsletter inserts below to share key messages with parents/families of secondary school students:

Help your teen stay sun safe!
Being outdoors and being active is an important aspect of our health and wellness. Ensure your teen is practicing sun safety when outdoors to reduce risks associated with UV rays’ exposure. Be a role model and encourage your teen to follow sun safety tips such as: covering up especially when UV index is 3 or higher, limit time in the sun especially between 11 am – 3 pm, use sunscreen, avoid using tanning equipment, and if sunny days are also hot and humid try to stay cool and hydrated to avoid heat illness.

For more sun safety tips, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 to speak with a public health professional.

Did you know that your skin is your body’s largest organ?

Protect your body’s largest organ which is your skin from harms associated with exposure to UV rays when exposed to the sun. Remember to use sunscreen, cover up, slip on protective clothing, wear eye protection, limit direct exposure to sunlight, avoid indoor tanning beds, learn about UV rays, and seek shade. 

For more sun safety tips, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 to speak with a public health professional.

For More information

  • Government of Canada: Sun Safey (English / French). Information about the harmful effects of extreme heat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including skin cancer, as well as first aid tips for sunburn and heat illness.
For more information, call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or email [email protected]. 
 
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