Make schools sun safe

Getting outside and spending time in nature has lots of benefits. It’s important to protect yourself and your students from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) so you can learn, move, and play safely outdoors. This strategy is about creating a sun safe environment at school to reduce the risk of sun burn and injury to the skin and eyes.  

Make sun safety a habit at school 

Making sun safety part of daily school routines helps students protect their skin and eyes from injury and practice healthy habits for the future. Here are some ideas to try: 

• Set an example for students by practicing your own sun-safe behaviours.   

• Encourage students to bring sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) from home. Give them time to put on sunscreen before going outside—it’s best to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Remind them to reapply sunscreen if they’re outside longer than 2 hours. 

• Encourage students to wear sunglasses, hats, and other protective clothing, like long-sleeve shirts, pants, and long skirts.  

• Whenever possible, plan outdoor activities when the UV index is lower, like in the morning before 11:00 am. 

• Use shaded areas or shade structures that are already in place, whenever possible, for outdoor activities.  

Create shade 

Shade is nature’s defense against the sun. It can give you and your students a break from the heat and prevent exposure to harmful UVR. Try these tips to create more shade at school: 

• See what shaded areas or shade structures are already in place, and what can be improved.  

• Look for grants and awards that fund school greening projects, playground enhancements, and building of shade structures.  

• Work with others in your school and community to plan a variety of ways to add shade, like: 
  • Planting trees 
  • Setting up portable shade structures (like tents, awnings, and umbrellas) 
  • Building permanent shade structures (like pergolas or shade huts) 

Improve knowledge and attitudes about sun safety  

Sun safety is for everyone. Teaching and learning about how to be safe in the sun supports staff, students and families.  

• Teach students about sun safe practices like using sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing (like hats, long-sleeve shirts, pants, or long skirts). 

• Remind staff and students about sun safety by using posters, messages and graphics from the Have fun in the sun safety toolkit.  

• Share information about sun safety with families. For example, include sun safety tips in school newsletters and other forms of communication. 

• Incorporate sun safety lessons across subject areas.   
  • Try these ideas for younger students:
    • Get students involved in shade mapping or making sun dials. 
    • Teach about the phases of the sun, stars, or other planets. 
    • Explore different climates and weather patterns. 
  • Try these ideas for older students:  
    • Use trusted sources like the Alberta Cancer Prevention Community Profiles Tool to explore rates of skin cancer in the last year and other risk factors for cancer. 
    • Have class discussions about attitudes towards tanning, myths and facts, or restrictions for artificial tanning in Alberta. 

Making schools sun safe involves using all components of the comprehensive school health framework. Promote sun safety during all outdoor activities at school any time of year. You might also like: 

• Re-imagine recess 

• Encourage safe and active travel 

• Embrace nature 

SunSense shade planning guide
The Canadian Cancer Society

Provincial and territorial sun safety policies in schools
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Lesson plans, activities, and games
Candian Skin Cancer Foundation