These past few days of warm weather have given Long Islanders the go ahead to put away their winter clothes and take out the t-shirts and shorts. But, before we get too excited about the warmer weather, we need to remember to take precautions to protect ourselves.
Whether you will be golfing, boating, enjoying an outdoor barbeque, or just general outdoor adventure, you will need to protect your skin accordingly. The most common form of cancer within the United States is Skin Cancer. You can ignore it or believe it cannot happen to you, but it can. Luckily, there are ways to protect and prevent developing skin cancer.
Additionally, sun safety is not just for the skin, but also for our eyes and internally. So, check out the following tips to ensure you have fun in the sun, but safely.
- Block the Sun with Clothes: The simplest way to block the sun from your skin is with clothing.
- Sunscreen: Clothing can get too warm in the summer, so sunscreen is the next alternative to take. SPF 15 is the lowest level of sunscreen that you can use to get over 90% protection against UVB rays. The maximum amount of coverage you can get is almost 99% with SPF 45.
- Stay in the Shade: Another way to block harmful rays and still enjoy the weather outside is sitting under some shade.
- Wear Sunglasses: When it is bright out, you need to protect your eyes from damaging. Color and polarized lenses can help with glare and are up to the individual if they want these features.
- Wear a Hat: Another great way to block the sun from your face is to wear a hat.
- Babies Should Not Be in the Sun: Babies under the age of 6 months should be kept out of the sun. Their skin is too sensitive for the sun and sunscreen at this age.
- Tanning Beds Are Just As Dangerous: Although it is not direct sunlight, tanning beds produce the same harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.
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Keep Cool and Understand Heat Stroke: Be sure to keep cool with staying in a shady area and having ice packs available. If your feel any of the following signs of heat stroke, consult an emergency professional:
- Temperature being 105 Degrees or higher
- Fainting
- Red skin
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling Weak
- Stay Hydrated: To avoid dehydration, always have something to drink near by.
So, enjoy the beautiful weather and the sunlight, but be sure to use caution.
What outdoor activities do you like to take part in? Tell us in the comments below!
Photo Credit: Fifth World Art / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)