The sun is out but are you protected?

Who doesn’t love a sunny day? But, particularly in this part of the world, the sun can be as much of a problem as it is a blessing.
Here are a few things to think about to keep your family “sunsmart” this summer.

Don’t stay too much under the sun

If you can, stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day. During summer, this is generally any time from about 9.30 am to 5 pm but, as it gets closer to winter, it drops back to an hour or two on either side of midday. Don’t linger in the direct sunshine any more than you have to.

You can still lounge by the pool, but do it under a tree wherever possible. The earlier or later in the day you can plan your outdoor activities, the better it will be for you.

Sunscreen

Keep sunscreen on hand at all times. Go for the highest SPF you can find – this indicates how long it would take the sun to burn your skin compared to if you were out without any protection. An SPF50 means you’ll take 50 times as long to burn as you would with no sunscreen on at all. The caveat is that you need to use the product exactly as directed on the bottle.

It’s been reported that most people don’t use nearly enough sunblock, and in fact should be using two coats. It’s also easy to get a false sense of security and forget to reapply when you’ve been swimming or at regular intervals. So take your sunscreen with you wherever you go and keep piling it on (set a reminder on your phone if you need to).

Protective clothing

Experts say that sunscreen should only be used for the bits of your body that you can’t cover with clothing. Wear long sleeves, trousers and a hat wherever you can. Pack a cover-up to wear when you get out of the water. The most common place to be burnt is the face and neck, so look for a hat that provides ample protection.

Don’t forget your eyes

UV rays can hurt your eyes, too, so it’s important to wear sunglasses. While the body can replace some damaged cells, unfortunately there’s nothing it can to do replace cells in your eyes.  Make sure that the ones that you choose don’t just look cool, though – they need to have a sufficient sun protection rating. And of course, kids should also wear sunglasses, so choose a wraparound style that they’re comfortable wearing.

Take your shade with you

If you know that you’re going to be somewhere with limited natural shade, take some with you. Small pop-up tents are relatively easy to transport, or you could pack a big beach umbrella. This means you’ll have options to take refuge if the heat starts to get too intense.

Monitor your skin

Even with the most careful diligence, you can still end up with damage to your skin from the sun. Keep an eye on your skin and check it thoroughly on a regular basis for any changes or anything that looks suspicious. Show your kids how to check their own so that they can keep an eye on their skin – and yours – throughout their lives.

Want to talk?

When it comes to skin cancer, prevention and risk factor reduction are key. And the right insurance cover can provide that extra level of protection that you need, now and over time. Get in touch today to discuss your options.

Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current development or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.