Jul 1

Written by: OpenDoor
7/1/2011 1:13 PM 

July is UV Safety month. UV rays are a form of radiation that comes from the sun and tanning beds and can cause skin cancer if people do not protect themselves properly.  Open Door Health Services wants you to be aware of ways to protect yourself from UV rays.

 

It does not matter if it is a cloudy day or the sun is shining, UV rays can still reach you.  The peak hours of UV rays are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Here are some guidelines to follow to protect yourself and family from UV exposure.

 

• Always use sunscreen.  How quickly do you think the sun’s rays can affect your skin? It only takes 15 minutes of sun exposure! Be sure to always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or above. The higher the number, the more protection from the rays you are getting.  Always reapply sunscreen if you are outside more than a couple hours or in the water.

 

• Stay in the shade.  If you are outside, try to seek out shade to protect yourself during the peak hours even if you are wearing sunscreen and proper clothing.

 

• Wear proper clothing.  The best clothing to wear outside is a loose fitted shirt with long sleeves and long pants. Dark colored t-shirts provide more protection than light colored ones.  Also, be sure to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15 or above on any areas not covered by clothing. 

 

• Wear hats and sunglasses.  Wear a hat that will protect your face, ears, and neck.  Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.  Sunglasses can also protect the skin around your eyes from UV exposure.

It is important to protect yourself and others from UV rays because UV rays can change skin cells and cause skin cancer.  Remember, it is worth the extra time to apply sunscreen daily!