Play safe in the sun

Kids of school age are full of energy, and to really concentrate in class they need to get out from behind their desks and burn off energy at morning tea and lunchtime.

This means they're running, jumping and laughing in the harsh Aussie sun, right at the peak UV times of the day. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun's radiation gets through.

The Cancer Council estimates that protecting young skin during the first 18 years of life can lower the risk of developing skin cancer by up to 78 percent.

Now, there's been a lot of skin cancer education since we were all at school, and most teachers are pretty good at making sure hats and sunscreen are on in the playground. In fact, hats are required by law at all Australian schools.

But it's a little-known fact that harmful UV rays can also pass through woven fabrics and onto your child's sensitive skin.

So don't just pack a brimmed hat into the schoolbag. Choose school clothes, especially shirts, that have a UPF rating.

Look for this logo on Stubbies Schoolwear throughout this website.