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