We all love being outside on a summer's day, but if you're going to be out in the sun, you need to be safe. With childhood sunburns being the leader in causing Skin Cancer later in life, we need to ensure our kids are protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays when in the sun.
What is UPF clothing?
Whilst the sun is needed to absorb Vitamin D for healthy bones, only a little is needed each day. The best way to protect children from the sun when they are at the beach, pool or just outside, is to cover them up in clothing or swimwear that blocks harmful rays. For clothing to be able to block the suns harmful rays it needs to have a UPF or Ultra Violet Protection Factor (SPF or Sun Protection factor relates to sunscreen not clothing). The UPF rating system was developed by the Australian Government, to indicate the level of protection the garment provides from the sun's UV rays on a scale of 15 to 50+. The higher the UPF the higher the protection from UV rays. All Snapper Rock swimwear has a UPF rating of 50+, blocking 98% of all harmful rays.
Cover up your kids with a hat, rash top and board shorts, so there's more water time for your kids and less worry time for you!
How does the sun protection get into the fabric?
Snapper Rock's UPF rating comes from fabric that we use in our designs. No chemicals or treatments are added to the fabric to provide the rating. What makes our garments UPF are due to the following:
- Density of the weave or knit of the fabric - the denser the fabric the less UV it lets in.
- The type of fibre - Nylon and elastane which our swimwear is made of disrupt a lot of the UV light, whilst a fabric such as cotton doesn't block very much
- The darker the garment - a general rule is the darker the fabric the more UV is blocked, however don't be afraid of choosing white rash tops - our white fabrics are dense enough to still block 98% of rays.
- Stretch and wetness also affect the fabric. If the fabric is over stretched the more UV light comes through. To prevent stretching hand wash rather than using the washing machine.
When you see this UPF50+ swing tag you can feel assured that your children will protected from sunburn and skin damage.
MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
For all online sales during the month of May we will donate 5% of total sales to the Children's Melanoma Prevention Foundation. To support them on their crusade to prevent skin cancer one child at a time through education and advocacy.
DON'T FRY DAY
The Friday before Memorial Weekend each year is national "DON'T FRY DAY"
http://skincancerprevention.org/programs/dont-fry-dayWatch this space for special deals to ensure your kids don't fry this summer
WATCH OUR SUN AWARE VIDEO
Sun AWARE videoSUN SAFETY WITH NAPS
Newborn & Parenting Support (naps) talk about summer safety in a two part series. View and listen to the podcast here:
naps™ Summer Safety - PART 1 WATER SAFETY
naps™ Summer Safety - PART 2 INTERVIEW SNAPPER ROCK FOUNDER, LIZ EGLINTON