| What outdoor activities did you do this past | | | | the sun during these hours.2. Wear a Hat - A hat |
| summer? Maybe you went on a vacation to the | | | | with a wide brim offers good sun protection to |
| beach. Maybe you spent some time playing your | | | | your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck |
| favorite sports such as baseball, golf, or tennis. | | | | - areas particularly prone to overexposure to the |
| Maybe you went swimming or had a barbeque in | | | | sun.3. Cover Up - Wearing tightly woven, |
| the backyard with family and friends. Regardless | | | | loose-fitting, and full-length clothing is a good way |
| of the outdoor activities you did over the | | | | to protect your skin from the sun's UV rays.4. |
| summer, most likely you were aware that it was | | | | Wear Sunglasses that Block 99-100% of UV |
| important to protect yourself from sun while | | | | Radiation -Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA |
| outdoors.Now winter is approaching. I am turning | | | | and UVB protection will greatly reduce sun |
| my attention to putting away my summer items | | | | exposure that can lead to cataracts and other |
| to make room for the winter ones; long sleeve | | | | eye damage. Check the label when buying |
| shirts for short sleeve ones, corduroy pants for | | | | sunglasses.5. Always Use Sunscreen - Apply a |
| shorts, and boots for sandals. Most of the sports | | | | broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection |
| equipment I have been using is going to get put | | | | Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher liberally on |
| away as well. But what about those items I have | | | | exposed skin. Reapply every 2 hours, or after |
| been using to protect myself from the sun? | | | | working, swimming, playing, or exercising |
| Things like my sunscreens, sunglasses, and sun | | | | outdoors. Even waterproof sunscreen can come |
| protective hats and clothing.You may be putting | | | | off when you towel off, sweat, or spend |
| these items away and not using them during the | | | | extended periods of time in the water.6. Avoid |
| winter. The National Council of Skin Cancer | | | | Sunlamps and Tanning Parlors - The light source |
| Prevention reported in their January 2003 | | | | from sunbeds and sunlamps damages the skin |
| newsletter that research shows only 3 percent of | | | | and unprotected eyes. It's a good idea to avoid |
| Americans routinely wear sunscreen during the fall | | | | artificial sources of UV light.7. Watch for the UV |
| months, and only 2 percent during the winter | | | | Index - The UV Index provides important |
| months. However, you can still get a sunburn and | | | | information to help you plan your outdoor |
| snow blindness during these months. The colder | | | | activities in ways that prevent overexposure to |
| temperatures do not block the UV rays and | | | | the sun. Developed by the National Weather |
| reflections off the snow and higher altitudes can | | | | Service (NWS) and EPA, the UV Index is issued |
| make matters even worse. You may be causing | | | | daily in selected cities across the United States.I |
| yourself significant, long-term damage by not | | | | am going to keep my sun protective items out to |
| properly protecting yourself.How do you protect | | | | use this winter. I am trusting that you will do the |
| yourself from the winter sun (or any other | | | | same so that you can enjoy the outdoors while in |
| season)? Follow these simple sun safety action | | | | the cold, on the ice, or in the snow. Have a terrific |
| steps recommended by the US Environmental | | | | and safe winter!Roger Carr lives in Fredericksburg, |
| Protection Agency:1. Limit Time in the Midday Sun | | | | Virginia and is a contributing author to the Sun |
| - The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. | | | | Clothing, etc. monthly newsletter. |
| and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit exposure to | | | | |