HEALTH chiefs have issued a major warning to Irish parents over a simple everyday activity that can be "particularly harmful" during childhood. The HSE has reminded parents of the importance of protecting children 's skin when they're outdoors during six months of the year. From April to September, children should be protected from the sun "even on cloudy days.
" This is because children's skin is "very sensitive" to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The HSE took to X to issue the warning, writing: "Exposure to UV rays from the sun during childhood is particularly harmful. "Playing and spending time outdoors is good for your child but it is important to protect children's skin when outside in the sun between April and September, even on cloudy days.
" Health chiefs have warned that incidences of sunburn in childhood increase the risk of developing skin cancer in later life. However, they have issued advise on how to stay "sun smart " during the brighter months, to ensure children are protected. They urged parents to "protect" their children from cancer-causing UV rays that cause "painful, itchy and uncomfortable" sunburn.
The HSE reminded parents that sunburn can happen both in Ireland and abroad and that despite Ireland's cloudy weather , sunburn can still occur as 80 per cent of UV rays can pass through light clouds. The sun's rays are strongest from April to September and between 11am and 3pm, even on cloudy days. Their top tips on avoiding sun burn and sun damage is to se.