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love summer! Summer is my favorite season of the year.
I love playing sports outside and walking on the beach.
I especially enjoy being at an outdoor barbecue. Maybe
you enjoy summer activities as well. Imagine with
me for a moment being at an outdoor barbecue. Just
a little distance away from you there's a swimming
pool full of kids who are having fun playing, laughing
and splashing in the water. In another spot there
might be a horseshoe game playing. You can hear the
"clank" of the horseshoes hitting the posts
as the players are trying to get a ringer. And of
course there's the barbecue grill. On the grill might
be hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken or steaks. The
only thing better than the smell coming from the grill
is the taste of the food when it's time to eat. Can
you just imagine the fun that you will have this summer?
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Now
fast forward with me a few hours. You are at home and your
skin is starting to itch. Just before bedtime you're taking
your shirt or blouse off to get into your bed clothes and
just the material rubbing up against your skin is painful.
When you do go to bed that evening you toss and turn trying
to get into a position that isn't painful so that you can
go to sleep. However, you spend hours awake only thinking
about the pain that your body is experiencing instead of the
tremendous fun you had that day. What is the reason for this
itching and pain? You have probably guessed it. You have a
sunburn! Fortunately
you can do something about it before it happens. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has provided us with some
steps that we can take to help reduce our chance of having
to deal with sun damage. These seven simple action steps
are as follows:
1. Limit Time in the Midday Sun - The sun's
rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible,
limit exposure to the sun during these hours.
2.
Wear a Hat - A hat with a wide brim offers good
sun protection to your eyes, ears, face, and the back of
your neck - areas particularly prone to overexposure to
the sun.
3.
Cover Up - Wearing tightly woven, loose-fitting,
and full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin
from the sun's UV rays.
4.
Wear Sunglasses that Block 99-100% of UV Radiation - Sunglasses
that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly
reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other
eye damage. Check the label when buying sunglasses.
5.
Always Use Sunscreen - Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen
with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher
liberally on exposed skin. Reapply every 2 hours, or after
working, swimming, playing, or exercising outdoors. Even
waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off, sweat,
or spend extended periods of time in the water.
6.
Avoid Sunlamps and Tanning Parlors - The light
source from sunbeds and sunlamps damages the skin and unprotected
eyes. It's a good idea to avoid artificial sources of UV
light.
The UV Index provides important information to help you
plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure
to the sun. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS)
and EPA, the UV Index is issued daily in selected cities
across the United States.
Why am I telling you about these simple action steps that
can help protect you from the sun? I want you to have fun
this summer. I want you to have fun this summer under the
sun.
About
the Author
Roger
Carr lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia and is a contributing
author to the Sun Clothing, etc. monthly newsletter. You
can browse the store and sign up for the free newsletter
at http://www.sunclothingetc.com
roger_c4@yahoo.com
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