Summertime means fun in the sun, but don’t forget to protect yourself and your family from dangerous UV rays. A little planning and vigilance will pay off when you take these common-sense steps to avoid dangerous sun damage and keep your time in and out of the sun more fun.
TWO Wear protective clothing made from tightly woven fabrics to help deflect UV rays. Some clothing brands offer special sun protection properties, check the labels and look for those that provide extra UV protection.
THREE Wear a hat, cap or scarf whenever you’re in the sun, especially if you are fair-skinned – the wider the brim the better to shade the face.
FOUR Apply plenty of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed skin, including the lips and tops of feet, your ears and the back of your neck. Don’t forget to use sunscreen even when it is overcast or foggy and when you are sitting under a beach umbrella. Reflection from sand, water, snow or concrete magnifies the effects of UV rays by up to 80%.
FIVE Re-apply sunscreen frequently. Even brands claiming to be waterproof and sweat proof will wear off with swimming and other strenuous outdoor activities.
SIX Babies need special protection. Keep them out of the sun as much as possible before six months. After six months, slather on the broad-spectrum sunscreen, dress them in protective clothing, use a sunshade on their stroller or an umbrella to provide shade and avoid taking them out between 10 am and 4 pm when the sun is strongest.
SEVEN Keep older children out of the midday sun, repeatedly apply sunscreen and encourage them to wear a T-shirt over their swimsuit when at the lake, beach or pool, but don’t forget to apply sunscreen under the shirt to block rays that penetrate the fabric.
EIGHT Wear sunglasses. UV radiation can damage the eyes long-term, leading to cataracts. Be sure to check the labels for those with UV-A and UV-B protection.