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