HSE Warns Cork Parents: One in Four Primary School Children Suffered Sunburn Last Year

• As students prepare to return to Cork classrooms, new research reveals concerning gaps in sun protection habits at home, with September's UV rays still strong enough to cause skin damage.

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme has revealed that 26% of primary school children in Ireland were sunburnt in 2024, with nearly half having experienced multiple instances of sunburn in their lifetime. The findings come as Cork families prepare for the return to school, with health officials reminding parents that September's sun can still pose risks to children's skin.

The new research, from the NCCP Attitudes, Behaviours, Knowledge and Awareness of Sun Protection in Ireland survey, suggests parents are more vigilant about protecting their children's skin when abroad than at home in Ireland: a pattern that could be putting young Corkonians at unnecessary risk.

Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE NCCP, says:

"Playing and spending time outdoors is such an important part of childhood, but it is crucial that children are protected. Sun protection is essential not just when travelling abroad, but also at home in Ireland, between April to September. The sun's rays continue to be strong enough to cause skin damage throughout September, so be sure to protect your children's skin by following the Healthy Ireland SunSmart steps."

The timing of the warning is particularly relevant for Cork families. With children returning to school yards and playing fields across the county, many parents may not realise that UV radiation remains strong enough to cause damage even on cloudy September days.

Prof Anne Marie Tobin, Consultant Dermatologist, Tallaght University Hospital, emphasises the long-term consequences:

"Children's skin is very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation from the sun which causes sunburn. Sunburn during childhood increases the risk of getting skin cancer as an adult. If your child is badly sunburnt more than 3 times before the age of 20, they more than double their risk of skin cancer as an adult. It is not enough to use sun protection measures on sunny days alone. Even on cloudy days, UV radiation from the sun can still reach our skin without us realising it."

In Ireland, UV from the sun is strongest from April to September between 11am and 3pm, coinciding with lunch breaks and afternoon sports sessions at schools across Cork. The UV index, which measures the strength of the sun's rays, indicates when protection is most crucial.

To support schools in protecting students, the HSE offers free SunSmart School Accreditation toolkits for both primary and post-primary schools. These resources include lesson plans for SPHE classes, with materials tailored for different age groups from junior infants through to Junior Cycle students.

The HSE recommends five simple steps for protecting children's skin, even on cloudy days:

• Slip on clothing that covers skin such as long sleeves and collared t-shirts
• Slop on sunscreen on exposed areas, using factor 50+ for children
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat
• Seek shade: sit in cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight and use sunshades on buggies
• Slide on sunglasses to protect eyes

For Cork schools interested in becoming SunSmart accredited, resources can be ordered free from www.healthpromotion.ie or by emailing prevention@cancercontrol.ie. The programme includes ready-made lesson plans that integrate sun protection education into existing SPHE curricula.

Parents seeking more information on protecting their children's skin can visit the SunSmart hub at www.hse.ie/sunsmart.

Whether your children are heading to school in Ballincollig or playing hurling in Bishopstown, remember that September sun still packs a punch; those cloudy Cork days aren't as harmless as they seem.