Summer might be over but the weekend's scorching temperatures are a reminder of the need to be SunSmart while UV levels remain high.
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For children at Ballarat's Iris Ramsay Kindergarten, SunSmart is a way of life. When UV levels are high, they're not allowed outside unless they're wearing a hat and sunscreen and play in the shade.
The kindergarten is one of 25 members of the Eureka Community Kindergarten Association who have reached 100 per cent membership of the SunSmart Early Childhood Program.
“Early childhood is such a crucial time in determining lifetime skin cancer risk, and children attend these services during peak UV times and are often engaged in active, outdoor play,” said ECKA chief executive Joanne Geurts.
“Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, so we’re really conscious of playing our part in raising awareness of this important issue.”
ECKA's 25 centres stretch across the City of Ballarat, Hepburn Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Pyrenees Shire and Moorabool Shire.
“The UV exposure received in childhood is significant in determining children’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer, which is why it’s great to see organisations like Eureka Community Kindergarten Association leading the way to reduce this risk,” said SunSmart Early Childhood Program coordinator Justine Osborne.
“This shows that each of ECKA’s kindergartens is making a real commitment to skin cancer prevention through policies, education, the use of sun protection and the provision of shady outdoor environments."
UV levels remain at dangerous levels across Victoria until the end of April.
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