Many of us think of Memorial Day weekend as the time of year that officially kicks off summer. And with Pasco County’s last day of school for students being on Friday, the 25th, it really is summer for our students and teachers! With that being said, it is important to take precautions when it comes to sun exposure. Whether you’re going to a barbeque this weekend or just want to lounge around the pool, here are some tips to protect yourself from sunburn and heatstroke:
- Even if the sun isn’t out, you can still be exposed to the sun’s UV rays, so make sure to wear sunscreen with at least 15 SPF that offers both UVA and UVB protection in both sunny and cloudy weather.
- Keep your head safe by wearing a hat with a brim: it protects your face, behind your neck, and ears.
- Just like with sunscreen, make sure your sunglasses also block both UVA and UVB rays. The eyes (and the skin around them) are very sensitive to the sun.
- Apply sunscreen thirty minutes prior to being outside. Reapply every two hours, and after excessive sweating or swimming (Sun Safety, n.d.).
- UV rays are strongest from the hours of 10am to 4pm. Consider scheduling outdoor activities around these times. For example, instead of having a pool party and barbeque during lunch time, consider having it in the evening for dinner time instead.
- Wear loose and light-colored clothing to reflect heat
- Drink water regularly and avoid alcohol to reduce dehydration risks
The Sunshine’s State’s harsh UV rays are common throughout the year and not just the summer, so make sure to practice sun safety daily, regardless of the time of year. If you have kids in summer camp, make sure they have sunscreen on them. Whether they go on a fieldtrip all day, or even if it’s just a few minutes of playing outside, a sunburn can be serious and painful, so do what you can do avoid one!
Featured image by Günter Albers – stock.adobe.com
References:
Sun Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/archive/hot_topics/families_and_consumers/sun_safety.shtml
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