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Parents are being warned to stay alert and protect their children from sunburn as the country enters a critical time.
"This is an acute period in terms of ultraviolet radiation or UVR," said Dr Richard McKenzie of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa). "During January, UVR is at its peak, which makes it one of the worst months for sunburn."
Child sunburn victims had an increased risk of developing melanoma later in life.
"It is an especially risky time as we are part way through school holidays and children may be spending long periods of time outdoors," said Wayde Beckman, the Health Sponsorship Council's SunSmart manager.
"The best thing parents can do for their kids is remember to slip, slop, slap and wrap," he said.
"Between the months of September to March, especially within the hours of 11am-4pm when UV radiation is most fierce, slip into protective clothing like shirts with collars and longer sleeves; slap on a broad-brimmed hat or cap with flaps; slop on a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen; wrap on a pair of close fitting sunglasses that reduce at least 90 per cent of the sun's UV radiation."
Mr Beckman warned parents to their children out of the sun when ultraviolet radiation was at its highest.
"Parents should remember that children can get sunburned on cloudy days too. Ultraviolet radiation can still penetrate light cloud and reflect off cloud surfaces so your child can burn just as badly on overcast days," he said. Dr McKenzie said ultraviolet radiation had hit extreme levels already this month.
- NZPA
