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Why is sun protection important?
Did you know that you will receive most of the exposure to the sun before you turn 18 years old? For that reason is very important to learn how you can take action and protect yourself from sun overexposure.
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Limit time in the midday sun as much as possible.
The sun's UV rays are stronger between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To the extent you can, limit exposure to sun during those hours. |
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Put on sunglasses. Sunglasses that provide 99 to 100 percent UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce eye damage from sun exposure. |
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Wear a hat. A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection for your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck |
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Seek shade. Staying under cover or indoors is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun. |
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Protect other areas of your body with clothing. Wearing tightly-woven, loose-fitting, and full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. |
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Always use sunscreen. Apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher liberally, and reapply at least every two hours or after working, swimming, playing, or exercising outdoors. Consult your doctor about sunscreen use for children under 6 months. |
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Avoid sunlamps or tanning salons. The light source from sunbeds and sunlamps cam damage the skin and unprotected eyes. |
To learn more about sun protection visit the SunWise Program website at www.epa.gov/sunwise.
Source: Sun Safety for Kids. The SunWise School Program.
EPA430-F-00-003 January 2000.
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