Sun-smart beach jingle could be life-saver

Alex de Vos
Surf lifesavers are considering broadcasting a jingle at local beaches to promote the slip, slop and slap message.
Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club president Peter Rankin welcomed the Cancer Council NSW initiative, which began at Cronulla and Gosford beaches last weekend.
“Anything to do with the beach and education falls under our role and if we can educate people to be sun smart through this then it’s great,” Mr Rankin said.
The jingle reminds beach-goers to reapply sunscreen and stay aware of the time they spent outdoors during peak UV hours.
Lifesavers broadcast the song over loudspeakers between 10am and 3pm.
Lifesaving Victoria’s Guy Britt praised the campaign.
“We would welcome anything that helps spread the message and, more importantly, reinforce the message,” Mr Britt said.
“It’s something we would look at.”
Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart manager Sue Heward said the organisation was awaiting the results of the NSW trial before deciding whether to launch the campaign in Victoria.
In the meantime, the council would run a campaign on “the dark side of tanning”, Ms Heward said.
“The campaign is designed to show the deadly side of tanning and what really happens when skin is exposed to too much UV radiation.”
Ms Heward said the campaign would include outdoor advertising at Torquay.