Nothing cements summer status more than kids jumping into their local swimming pool to cool off during the heat of the day. Spending your days outside at the pool can be a great way to enjoy the warmer weather but can also increase your risk of skin cancer.
“Most people know that too much exposure to ultraviolet light (UV rays) can cause skin cancer but it’s also important to know that UV rays can reach you on cloudy days, cool days, and even when light reflects off surfaces like water, cement, and sand,” says Janelle Visser, Injury Prevention Coordinator for Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD). “Youth are at the biggest risk of overexposure since 80% of a person’s lifetime UV exposure is done before the age of 18.”
There are easy and simple ways to protect your skin and stay cool during the summer by following these sun safe tips:
- Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more and reapply every two hours.
- Wear a long-sleeve shirt if possible.
- Wear a hat that has at least a three- to four-inch-wide brim.
- Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
- Find shade during peak UV ray time, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
PPHD helps area pools offer sun protection with funding to purchase sunshades for their pools as well as provide sunscreen for the lifeguards and patrons.
Village of Harrison Clerk Dennelle Fischer shared, “The Village of Harrison is very grateful for Panhandle Public Health District for their support by giving to the community! The umbrellas and sunscreen are a great help to the staff as well as the community to protect us from the harsh element of the sun.”
To request further information on sun safety or how your local pool can get funding for shade, please visit www.pphd.ne.gov, e-mail jvisser@pphd.ne.gov, or call 308-487-3600 x105. Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community.