10 tips for staying safe in the sun

It’s summer and the sun is guaranteed to shine at some point – even in the UK!

Campers spend a lot of time in the outdoors so it's vital to take care to avoid suffering the short term pain (and potential long term consequences) of sunburn.

Follow our top 10 tips for staying safe in the sun on camping trips, at home or abroad.

1. Wear sunglasses and a hat and cover up your arms and legs as much as possible – this is especially true for children.

2. They say only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun but the NHS recommends that you spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest.

3. Buy a tent with a built-in sun canopy or add an awning to your current tent so you can enjoy the outdoors without being in the direct line of fire.

4. Slather on the sunscreen. Sun protection factor (SPF) has become a worldwide standard for measuring the effectiveness of sunscreen. Factor 15 is the minimum you’d want to consider but make sure you choose what's rfight forf your own skin's sensitivity.

5. Children’s skin is more sensitive to the sun than adults and they’re usually out in it for longer, so it pays to use a sun screen with a higher SPF – 50 is ideal – plus high UV-A and UV-B protection.

6. If you’re at the beach or in and out of a pool, make sure you use a waterproof sunscreen. The sun’s rays are even more powerful when reflected off the water.

7. Don’t forget to drink water regularly when out in the heat. Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration, so little and often is the best policy rather than raging thirst and over-indulgence. Fill a drinking container from a tap if you can, rather than buying bottled water.

8. If you do get burnt, soothe your skin with a natural moisturising cream. But make sure you use one that doesn’t attract insects.

9. Consider clothing  with built-in sun protection as well as insect repellent, such as the Craghoppers NosiLife range.

10. Don’t neglect your tent. Ultra-violet rays in bright sunshine can damage nylon flysheets. Treat your tent with a protective spray, such as Nikwax’s Tent & Gear Solarproof spray.