outdoor safety

More Fun with Less Sun

Three individuals smiling at the beach. All are wearing sunglasses and a man is also wearing a hat.

As the weather warms up, we spend more time outdoors and we need to take steps to protect our skin, lips, and eyes. According to the Mayo Clinic, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and 90% is caused by exposure to the sun. As you head outdoors, follow these ten tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from the damaging effects of the sun and reduce your chance of skin cancer:

  1. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing sunscreen every day to prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging. Print out this informative infographic about sunscreen and post it somewhere everyone can see as a friendly reminder to protect your skin.  
  2. Use lip protection. Just like your skin, your lips need protection from the sun. Use a lip balm that contains 30 SPF and protects you from both UVA and UVB rays (or says broad spectrum).
  3. Wear sunglasses. Slip on some cool shades and protect your eyes. People of all ages should wear sunglasses.
  4. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Grab a hat that is tightly woven and has a rim at least 3-inches wide. This will protect the top of your head, your neck, your face, and ears from the sun.
  5. Wear sun protective clothing. Many fabrics have an Ultra Protective Factor (UPF) that protects your skin. Wearing clothes with 50 UPF is like wearing sunscreen with 30 SPF. Look for bathing suits, sun shirts, pants, and other clothing items with 50 UPF to provide a convenient way to protect your skin.
  6. Limit sun exposure. Avoid being outdoors when ultraviolet rays are their strongest, which tends to be between 10 AM and 4 PM.
  7. Seek shade. When you are outside, look for shade or bring your own. An umbrella, a shade tent, or natural shade can reduce your sun exposure. But don’t rely on shade alone to protect your skin.
  8. Protect windows. If you spend time near windows, make sure they block UV rays. To better understand the effect of spending time near a window, view the New England Journal of Medicine to see a picture of a 69-year-old truck driver and the sun damage caused to one side of his face.
  9. Perform skin self-exams. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that individuals, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity, perform monthly skin self-exams. They have helpful resources to learn how to check your skin, what to look for, and how to record your findings.
  10. See a board-certified dermatologist every year. You should see a dermatologist once a year, or more often if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer, for a full-body, professional skin exam. When found early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
An older couple is smiling and the man and woman are wearing sunglasses and hats.

Statistics show that 1 out of every 5 Americans will develop a form of skin cancer in their lifetime. By following these tips and avoiding tanning beds, you can significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer, all while having more fun with less sun.

More Resources:
Did you know that many Ohio State University Extension educators are trained to teach about sun safety? Visit our webpage and contact the OSU Extension professional in your county to schedule an educational workshop today!

Written by: Laura M. Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County. Email: stanton.60@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Heather Reister, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Butler County.

Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2023, May 15). Find skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/check-skin

American Cancer Society. (2023, July). Preventing skin cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/skin-cancer-prevention-infographic.html

Gordon, J.R.S. and Brieva, J.C. (2012, April 19). Unilateral dermatoheliosis. The New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1104059

Mayo Clinic (n.d.). Infographic: Skin cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/multimedia/skin-cancer-infographic/ifg-20441507

Richard, E. G. (2022). All about sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen

Photo Credits: Adobe Stock.

Be Water Safe this Summer

underwater photography of young friends swimming.

Summer is upon us: trips to the pool, or lake, vacations to the beach, or water sports adventures. Family time at the pool or on the water can create lasting memories. But did you know that no matter how well someone can swim, no one is ever “drown-proof”?  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 and is the second leading cause of unintentional death in ages 5 to 14.

            Water competency is essential to improve water safety by avoiding dangers, developing water safety skills, and knowing how to prevent and respond to drowning emergencies. Water competency includes (1) being water smart, (2) swimming skills, and (3) helping others. All of us need to be water smart any time we are around water, even if we do not plan to go for a swim. This includes knowing your limitations, never swimming alone, wearing a life jacket, understanding unique water environments, and swimming sober. Learning to perform these five swimming skills in every type of water environment can help save a life:

  1. Enter water that is over your head and calmly return to the surface
  2. Float or tread water for at least one minute
  3. Turn over or turn around in the water
  4. Swim at least 25 yards
  5. Be able to exit the water

Help others: This means, paying close attention to children or weak swimmers, knowing the signs of drowning, learning to safely assist a drowning person, such as “reach or throw, don’t go,” and knowing CPR and first aid.

Movies and television make us believe that drowning is splashy and loud. Unfortunately, it’s the opposite; someone could be drowning a few feet away, and you would not know it; drowning is often silent. It’s important to learn the seven warning signs that someone is drowning.

Consider these ideas to be safe around water this summer:

  • Designate an adult to be a water watcher – eliminate distractions such as long conversations, cell phone usage, or reading.
  • Create family swim rules and utilize swim buddies of similar age and skill.
  • Utilize U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets.
Children learning to swim with instructor

Learning to swim is one of the best ways to help your family and make everyone safer around the water. Summer is a great time to find swim lessons in your community; check out your local Red Cross, YMCA, parks and recreation centers, swim clubs, and swim teams for affordable swim lessons in your area.

References:

American Red Cross. (n.d.-d). Water safety. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html

Drowning facts. (2022, March 10). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html

Talks, R. C. (n.d.). What does drowning sound and look like? https://www.redcross.ca/blog/2019/6/what-does-drowning-sound-and-look-like

U.S. Coast Guard. (n.d.). Life jacket wear/Wearing your life jacket. Boat Responsibly. https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php

Photo Credit:

Children swimming underwater: Adobe Stock (418941209)

Children learning to swim with instructor: Adobe Stock (28261075)

Written by: Laura Halladay, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Greene County.

Reviewed by: Laura Stanton Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County.