Be Safe & Smart in the Sun: A sun safety checklist

	Be a shade seeker: Try to avoid the sun between the hours of 10am to 4pm when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

	Wear protective clothing: Cover up with a shirt, hat, and UV-protective sunglasses to help shield your skin and eyes from sun damage.

	Sunscreen 365 days a year: Apply generous amounts of sunscreen of at least SPF 15 to exposed areas every day. Use higher SPF when you are active outdoors – even on cloudy days! (Remember that UV light can penetrate through clouds.) Also, water, snow and sand reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn. Apply sunscreen 20-30 min before going out, and reapply every 2-3 hours and after being in the water.

	Do not burn: Sun burns, particularly during youth, lead to a higher risk of melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

	No tanning bed is “safe”: UV light from tanning beds, like the sun, can dramatically increase your risk of acquiring skin cancer. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen along with it.

	Watch the UV index: The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. You may be able to find the UV Index on television, in the newspaper, online, and on our website. The Index predicts UV level using a 0-10+ scale, ranging from 0 being minimal to 10 being very high. Be extra careful when the UV Index predicts exposure levels of moderate or higher.

	Get Vitamin D safely: Adequate levels of vitamin D can be obtained through foods supplemented with Vitamin D.

	Perform monthly skin checks: Check your skin regularly and be on the lookout for any new skin spots or changes in existing spots. Be extra careful if you are taking certain medications (like antibiotics) or have freckles, moles, or a family history of skin cancer. Early detection is best, so seek a dermatologist about concerning moles!