Stay sun safe
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Updated: June 30, 2009 10:43 AM
VICTORIA - As island residents gear up to celebrate Canada Day with barbeques or a day at the beach, Dr. Richard Stanwick, Chief Medical Health Officer with the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), wants to remind everyone to stay sun safe.
"The best way to protect your skin from sun-related damage, including skin cancer, is to schedule outdoor activities when Ultra Violet rays are at their weakest, before 11:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m.," said Dr. Stanwick. "If you are outside during peak UV hours, seek shade as often as possible and be aware that water, sand and concrete can reflect up to 85 per cent of the sun's dangerous rays."
To minimize damaging Ultra Violet (UV) exposure, follow these additional easy tips:
Cover skin with tight-knit, loose fitting clothes and wear a hat with a broad rim.
Be aware of the daily UV index forecast - the higher the number, the stronger the sun's rays.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on all exposed skin. Don't forget your ears, chin and neck, and protect your lips by wearing lip balm with SPF 30.
Apply enough sunscreen to make your skin white until the sunscreen absorbs. Most people use only 1/2 to 1/4 of the recommended amount of sunscreen. At that rate, SPF 60 drops to SPF 15 and SPF 15 becomes SPF 4.
Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
For more information on sun safety, please visit www.suntips.ca and for spring and summer health and safety tips, visit http://www.viha.ca/health_info/health_tips/.
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