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SunSmart Events

Running an outdoor event, especially during summer, probably means the people attending your event – and the staff working at it – will expose themselves to the sun. Sun safety is an important part of your health and safety policy and being SunSmart is not just about making available a bottle of sunscreen.

How can you run a SunSmart event?

If you are running your event between September and April, any time between 10am and 4pm, think about:

Before the event

1. Availability of shade

  • Look at your site in advance to determine how much shade is available either through existing shade structures or trees.
  • If there is not enough shade available for people attending or working at your event, you will need to organise shade structures, such as marquees, umbrellas, tents, etc. Your local Cancer Society or council may have shade structures available to loan.

2. In promotional information about your event, encourage people to:

  • Bring along their own shade, such as umbrellas or pop-up tents.
  • Come prepared to protect themselves from the sun – remind them to “slip, slop, slap and wrap”.
  • Organise to have free sunscreen available to encourage people to apply and reapply sunscreen during your event.

3. Make sure your event staff will have:

  • SunSmart clothing, such as long-sleeved collared shirts and wide-brimmed hats.
  • Broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen to use during the event.
  • Wrap-around sunglasses, especially if they are required to be outside for long periods.

During the event

  • MC announcements – Use these announcements to remind people to be SunSmart.
  • Shade oasis – If possible, create a shade oasis where people can go to get out of the sun. It is also a  good idea to have sunscreen available for the public to use.
  • Merchandise – Where merchandise is for sale, try to include sunscreen, hats and umbrellas.
  • Staff – Encourage your staff to act as SunSmart role models by wearing SunSmart clothing, reapplying sunscreen, and wearing sunglasses where appropriate. Also, rotate the duties of your staff between shaded and non-shaded areas.

Botanic Gardens Festival gets SunSmart

A successful partnership between Auckland Council and the HSC provides a case study for other local authorities looking to build value, health and well being into their events. 

Setting a good example – the New Zealand Racing Board’s Interislander Summer Festivals

The Interislander Summer Festivals run by the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) are an excellent example of how to set up and run a SunSmart event. Click here to find out how the NZRB keeps its community SunSmart.

Te Orewa Cycle way opening event : Water Safe Auckland / SunSmart marquee

                           

Need support running a SunSmart event?

The HSC, which runs the SunSmart campaign, can provide support to community groups who want to run a SunSmart event. Fill out the following form to see if the HSC can help you.

Calendar of SunSmart events

The HSC has partnered with the following organisations to run SunSmart events: New Zealand Racing Board, WAI (WaterSafe Auckland), Interislander and Real Woman. To find out more about these events and when they are on, click here.