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Sun Safety

Jul 25, 2017 | 10:31 AM

Summer is the time to enjoy your spot at the beach “catching some rays.” Did you know that even on a cloudy day you can get a sun burn? It is possible to enjoy healthy outdoor activities while in the sun.

  • Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.  or any time of the day when the UV Index™ is 3 or more.  The sun’s rays are at their strongest between these hours. It’s easy to remember – during these hours your shadow is shorter than you are.If you can, plan your outdoor activities before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
  • Seek shade or create your own shade. When you are outside, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., try to stay in the shade. Be prepared for places without any shade by taking along an umbrella. With an umbrella, you can create shade wherever you need it.
  • SLIP! on clothing to cover your arms and legs. Covering your skin will protect it from the sun. Choose clothing that is:
    • loose fitting
    • tightly woven
    • lightweight
  • SLAP! on a wide-brimmed hat. Most skin cancers occur on the face and neck. This area needs extra protection. Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your head, face, ears and neck. Hats without a wide brim, like baseball caps, do not give you enough protection.
  • SLOP! on a sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30 or higher and SPF 50 if you work outdoors or if you will be outside for most of the day. Look for “broad spectrum” on the label. This means that the sunscreen offers protection against 2 types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. Apply sunscreen generously, 20 minutes before outdoor activities. Reapply at least every 2 hours and after swimming or exercise that makes you perspire. No sunscreen can absorb all of the sun’s rays. Use sunscreen along with shade, clothing and hats.  Don’t use sunscreen instead of them. Use sunscreen as a backup in your sun protection plan.
  • Keep babies under one year out of the direct sun. Babies need extra protection because their skin is very sensitive. Keep your child’s stroller, playpen or carriage in the shade.
  • No tan is a safe tan. Artificial tanning equipment, beds and lamps are not a safe way to tan. Artificial tanning equipment does not give you a “safe tan without burning”. A tan is evidence of sun damage. Just like the sun, tanning lights and sun lamps emit ultraviolet rays that can cause sunburn, aging skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. The strength of the ultraviolet rays (especially the UV-A type) may actually be higher in tanning beds than in sunlight. Sun damage doesn’t go away … it adds up!

What else should be part of my sun protection plan?

Wear sunglasses

Sunglasses can help prevent damage to your eyes by blocking a large number of ultraviolet rays. Keep your shades on and make sure your children wear them too. Choose sunglasses with:

  • even shading
  • medium to dark lenses (grey, brown or green tint)
  • UVA and UVB protection

These features can be found in many inexpensive sunglasses.