Helping keep children safe from sunburn
As temperatures rise once more - with several of the hottest days on record already logged this year - families are bracing for another spell of sweltering heat.
The heat is back on, and this summer is set to be a scorcher, with schools preparing to break up for summer soon and children spending longer outdoors.
Clinicians from the world‑renowned burns service at Broomfield Hospital are urging parents and carers to take simple steps to protect children from sunburn.
Although often underestimated, sunburn is still a burn injury, and children’s skin is particularly vulnerable to UV damage, even on cloudier days.
Lottie Armitage, Senior Occupational Therapist at the St Andrew’s Centre for Burns and Plastics, said:
There is a sense of a rise in sunburn cases this year, reflecting national trends reported by the Children’s Burns Trust.
In 2025, 252 children needed specialist admission for sun‑related burns, with many more treated in emergency departments for severe sunburn.
With rising temperatures about to return, staff are reinforcing this message, offering sound advice to help families stay vigilant as UV levels climb.
To help families stay safe, the unit’s Burn Prevention Group is sharing key advice alongside other national bodies, highlighting five essential steps for sun safety:
- Use SPF 50+ sunscreen — apply generously and reapply often
- Cover up with lightweight clothing
- Seek shade between 11am and 3pm and check the UV index
- Protect children’s eyes with sunglasses
- Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight wherever possible.
With higher temperatures and stronger UV levels expected to continue, these simple measures can significantly reduce the risk of painful and avoidable injuries.
Lottie said:
The burns service remains committed to supporting children and families impacted by burn injuries and promoting prevention throughout the summer months and the winter months too, when UV exposure can still pose risks.