Sun Protection Hats- what to look for

The skin on your face, ears and neck is much thinner and more sensitive to UV damage. Choose a hat that provides good shade to your face, head, neck and ears.

When choosing a hat for your child:

• look for a wide brim or bucket (should have a deep crown, angled brim of at least 6 cm and sit low on the head) or legionnaire (should have a flap that covers the neck and overlaps at the sides of the front peak)

• check the material: does it let a lot of light through or does it provide dark shade? A fabric with UPF 15 offers good protection while one that is UPF50 offers excellent protection. Even if the fabric is excellent, make sure the hat's overall design is effective too.

• make sure it is cool and comfortable.

Baseball caps are not a good option for everyday sun protection because they only protect your scalp and forehead. However, they can be good to wear during active recreation, when a broad-brimmed hat may be less practical.

For pre-schoolers, choose a design such as a soft legionnaire hat that will crumple easily when they put their head down.

Hats that can be adjusted at the crown or can be tied at the front to help secure it on a child’s head are best. If the hat is secured with a long strap and toggle, make sure it has a safety snap. Place the strap at the back of their head or trim the length so it doesn’t become a choking hazard.