July is UV protection month.
As people flock to pools, rivers and beaches in search of summertime
fun, we need to remember our UV protection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), 6 Summertime UV protection strategies are important:
1.
Use the shade wisely during the hot, midday hours. When
talking about UV protection, we are protecting ourselves from skin cancer
dangers. Using the shade of an umbrella,
tree or shelter, we can decrease the danger.
However, the experts recommend we also use sunscreen and protective
clothing to protect ourselves.
2. Wear appropriate clothes to protect ourselves
from UV rays. How can I get a tan
wearing clothes? You don’t but you
decrease your chances of skin cancer.
According to the CDC report, a typical dry t-shirt gives us SPF of less
than 15. A wet t-shirt gives even less
sun protection. That means we are
getting sun when we don’t realize it.
Sun protective clothing can be purchased. (REI calls it UPF –ultraviolet protection factor
and the higher the number the more protection.) The best sun protective type fabric is
tightly woven fabric made into loosely-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and
pants. More information can be found at
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm
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