For many of us, summer is a needed respite from ferrying kids to school or shoveling snow off our cars. It is a time to relax, enjoy beautiful weather, and reconnect with our families.
Just thinking about the dog days of summer evokes memories of splashing in a pool, running through sprinklers, eating ice cream, and of course, soaking up as much sun as possible.
Yet being sunburned is no fun. That’s why staying safe in the sun is vital to having an enjoyable summer. While it takes planning to ensure you don’t get burned by one of our solar system’s largest stars, it can be done!
Perhaps the simplest way to protect yourself from the sun’s intense rays is to wear sunglasses. But not just any sunglasses. The American Optometric Association recommends buying sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 of both UV-A (ultraviolet A) and UV-B rays.
Ultraviolet rays are considered dangerous because there is strong evidence that 90 percent of skin cancer is due to UV radiation. According to the American Cancer Society, the worst types of UV rays for your skin are UVA and UVB rays. Both types have been shown to cause skin damage and skin cancer.
If eyes are exposed to unprotected amounts of sun and UV rays for even just a few hours, sun-seekers may end up with photokeratitis, or sunburn of the eye. The American Optometric Association recommends picking sunglasses that fit snugly against your eyes and have a uniform tint. If you are unsure if your sunglasses make the cut, be sure to visit a local optometrist.
Along with your sunglasses, you always want to make sure to bring a hat. According to the American Cancer Society, a hat with a two-to-three-inch brim is preferred since it generally provides shade to all areas of the head and neck. A shade cap, or a baseball cap with several inches of material draping from the back of it, is ideal. If you don’t have one, you can make one by putting material, such as a bandana or small shirt under a baseball cap.
When you grab your hat and sunglasses, don’t forget to use sunscreen or some type of sunscreen alternative. While there has been some debate about the effectiveness of sunscreen and the possibility it contains cancer-causing agents, most doctors and naturalists do agree that some form of liquid sun protection is necessary. If you do not feel comfortable with an over-the-counter sunscreen brand, however, there are many natural forms such as red raspberry seed oil and carrot seed oil, which both have an SPF value of between 28-50.
Perhaps the most obvious way not to get sunburned is to stay in the shade, especially between the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you live in an area of higher elevation where the sun shines all the time and is stronger, you may want to alternate days you spend in the sun versus days in the shade.
No matter where you live, however, you may want to consider adding a retractable awning to the back or side of your home so you have a place to relax on days when you do want to stay out of the sun. They work well over patios and can even provide a certain amount of shade to your home, which will help you cut down on your air-conditioning bill. Retractable awnings sites, such as retractableawnings.com, can provide solutions for the best kind of awning to protect you from the sun.
Don’t get burned by the sun unnecessarily this summer. Even just following one of these tips—not to mention all of them—will virtually guarantee that you stay away from sunburn and stay safe in the sun this summer!
