Sun-safe habits should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.

Build safe sun habits into your family’s daily routine and show them how you protect your skin. Children respond better when they watch their parents.

Begin by teaching them:

1. Slip on a shirt
2. Slop on sunscreen with SPF15 or higher
3. Slap on a hat.

These actions are designed to reduce exposure to sunlight and therefore minimise the risks involved.

Further advice is to avoid exposure to the sun when it is at its strongest – between mid-day and three in the afternoon. When you think about it, this is the traditional time when many Mediterranean countries have lunch followed by a siesta – both taken indoors thereby avoiding the worst effects of the sun. So plan outdoor activities around this time.