Enjoy Your Summer, Safely
Warm weather has arrived in Vermont, and the mountains are lush and green. Swimming, hiking, biking, grilling, sports and even outdoor projects are among the many Vermont summertime activities on our to-do lists! It is easy to prevent illness and injury while enjoying the outdoors if you follow some simple health and safety tips.
Sun Safety
Vermont has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the U.S. However, most skin cancers can be prevented. Follow these tips to be sun smart when playing and working outdoors:
- Apply a thick layer of broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
- Seek shade, especially during midday hours. Umbrellas, trees, or other shelters can provide relief from the sun.
- Be extra careful around surfaces that reflect the sun’s rays, like sand, water, and concrete.
- Wear protective gear like a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays to protect your face and eyes. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants or a long skirt for additional protection. If that’s not practical, try wearing a t-shirt or a beach cover-up.
- Skip the “base tan.” Indoor tanning and tanning outside are both dangerous. A tan indicates damage to your skin. Indoor tanning is designed to give you high levels of UV radiation in a short time.
