Shine a light on sun safety

Kayde aged 3 slaps on sunscreen

These Melton tots know the importance of the slip, slop, slap sun safety message.

About 89 per cent of early childhood services in Melton are already participating in the Cancer Council and VicHealth’s SunSmart program – but the aim is to get all centres on board.

SunSmart program co-ordinator Justine Osborne said it was important for services to keep sun protection on the agenda.

“Not only do most children attend early childhood services during peak UV times, they’re also at a time in their life when UV damage is most significant for determining future skin cancer risk,” Ms Osborne said.

“Because of this, it’s really important that early childhood services are making sun protection part of their daily routine.

“Our free program makes this simple by providing the policy advice, resources and education they need to ensure services are meeting their regulatory requirements and duty of care.

“Now that the SunSmart generation is growing up and having children of their own, we want to make sure the message is being passed down.”