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Grab Your Sunscreen

The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. So, who needs to worry about using sunblock? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-- Everyone.

If you're like most people, even the fairest of the fair, it's less likely that you are concerned with wearing sunscreen on an average day as compared to spending a day at the beach. But guess what? Everyone should be concerned on every day that the sun rises. Even though some skin types are not prone to burning, they, too, are at risk for skin cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a new campaign entitled, "Choose Your Cover," to promote awareness of UV danger, especially in their youngsters. They all need awareness in UV protection, but you need to be aware that their risks start at an early age. Your risks of developing skin cancerous conditions increase with every sunburn they obtain in their lifetime.

There are five ways for you to "cover up" that are recommended by the CDC. They had better listen up and good, considering that "UV exposure appears to be the most important environmental factor in the development of cancer.

Seek Shade - Don't wait until it is too late to seek shade from the sun. If need to be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time, take breaks and seek shade wherever you can find it.
Rub it On - Be sure your sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. The higher the number, the more protection.
Cover up - Darker colored, loose fitting, tightly woven fabric is recommended.
Get a Hat - Find a hat made from tightly woven fabric that has a wide brim to shade face, ears, and the back of your neck. Straw hats are not recommended, as they let sunlight in between the fibers.
Grab Shades - Sunglasses can reduce your risk of cataracts, as well as, protect your eyes from UV rays. Find a pair that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Don't forget, UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, essentially making overcast and cloudy days as much a threat as bright and sunny days. UV rays can also reflect off of water, driveways, sidewalks, sand, and snow. Also be aware, now that day light savings time is over, the UV rays are at their strongest between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. standard time.