Long gone are the days of baking by the pool in baby oil. Sun safety has gotten serious with reports from the Skin Cancer Foundation that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.  According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. With facts like that, it’s time to get smart about the sun and learn how to protect yourself
from it.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers up seven tips you should use this summer:

1. Do not burn
Five or more sunburns doubles your risk of developing skin cancer.

2. Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds
Stick with sunless tanner to get a golden glow. UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling.

3. Slather on the sunscreen
Skimping on sunscreen will only leave you burned and at greater risk for skin damage. Use an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply every two hours – even on cloudy days.

4. Seek shade
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During these hours stay out of direct sun. And use this shadow rule: no shadow, seek shade!

5. Use extra caution near water, snow and sand
Water, snow and sand reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance for sunburn.

6. Watch for the UV index
The UV index, developed by the National Weather Service, is issued daily in selected cities across the United States and predicts the UV levels for that day. If the levels are elevated, it’s best to stay out of the sun.

7. Wear protective clothing
Wear sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves and pants when possible.

Sun safety is a hot topic during the summer months, but the truth is the sun is up there 365 days a year, so be sure to protect yourself all year long!  

Are you a sun worshipper? Tell us what measures you take to protect yourself.