Summer Sun Safety

 Summer, summer, summer! It’s time to get outdoors, swim, hike, watch kids play sports, walk the outdoor festivals, -all the things we love about this time of year. But at the same time we have to fight that hot, Alabama sun which can be terrible on your exposed skin.  Did you know that even though the sun is a major cause of cancer most doctors believe that the majority of skin cancers can be avoided by protecting your skin?  So this means we need to do one of two things: Stay inside and completely avoid the sun for the rest of our lives OR get smarter about protecting ourselves from the sun.  If you decided the vampire life isn’t for you, read on for some great tips:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/sunscreen-benefits_n_3464687.html                https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/article.aspx?id=e0a22a4f-77c7-4a9a-b779-ed3c37956982

---

1. Always wear sunscreen. Apply it on your skin every day. Make it a habit, as you do with brushing your teeth.
2. Avoid sun in the middle of the day, from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ultraviolet rays, which cause sunburn, are strongest during this time.
3. Wear protective clothing. When you do go outdoors, especially for long periods in the middle of the day. Long sleeves and slacks, as well as a wide-brimmed hat, help protect your body against the sun's harmful effects.
4. Wear sunglasses that filter UV light.
5. Apply the sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before you go outdoors, whenever you will be exposed for 30 minutes or more.
6. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours while you are outdoors, even if the product is labeled “all-day.” If you get wet or perspire heavily, reapply sunscreen more frequently.

---

Thank you,

Wenona Mertens