Nine Important Sun Safety Tips
It’s Melanoma Monday — time for a refresher on how to stay safe in the sun.
Across the country, families are organizing outdoor activities and upcoming vacations, excited to embrace warmer, sunnier days. And while the sun is practically begging us to bask in its glory, now is not the time to let our guard down. Overexposure to the sun can lead to a variety of health risks, including skin cancer and vision loss. To mark Melanoma Monday, which is the first Monday in May, here are nine important sun safety tips and reminders to protect you and your family this summer:
Check out the scenery.
The sun’s ultraviolent (UV) rays bounce off of reflective surfaces such as sand, water, and concrete. Limit your exposure in these settings and don’t skimp on the sunscreen.
Don’t get burned.
Blistering sunburns increase your chances of skin cancer. If you have had five or more sunburns, your risk for melanoma – the most common form of skin cancer – doubles.
Use sunscreen.
Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. If you use a sunscreen with an SPF 15, you can be in the sun 15 times longer before you start burning than if you were outside unprotected. An SPF of 15 absorbs 93 percent of the sun.
Protect your eyes.
Every year, 3.2 million people go blind due to prolonged UV exposure. Wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays. A single outing can damage your eyes if they aren’t protected.
Know the shadow rule.
The intensity of UV rays is directly related to the angle of the sun. An easy way to tell how much exposure you are getting is to look at your shadow. If your shadow is shorter than you (around midday), seek shade and protect your skin and eyes. If your shadow is taller than you (in the early morning and late afternoon), your UV exposure is lower.
Seek shade.
The sun is the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try and get under trees, umbrellas or awnings during these hours.
Cover up.
A wide-brimmed hat can help protect your head, face and neck. Clothing made of dark, tightly woven material is a good choice, as it absorbs UV better than cotton fabrics in light shades. Bright colors can also significantly absorb UV rays. The more vivid the color, the greater the protection. A bright yellow shirt, for example, offers more protection than a pastel one.
Don’t forget the lips.
Just like the rest of your skin, your lips need protection, too. In fact, your lips are more susceptible to burning than other parts of your body. Experts recommend a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Skin cancer is prevalent in America.
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Nearly 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once.
The McDonald Law Firm hopes that you found these tips helpful. Unfortunately, millions of people are diagnosed each year with skin cancer. In many cases, they are no longer able to work and are struggling to make ends meet. If you or a loved one is suffering from skin cancer or another severe medical condition and is expected to be out of work for at least a year, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. We can help. Call us today at 855-702-9061.
