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Environmental Health & Safety |
Phone: (314) 935-9264
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May is Sun Safety Month With warmer weather approaching, we’re all ready to go outside and play! But it’s not just when we’re planning on being outside that sun safety is important. Whether you’re standing in front of your home talking with a neighbor or walking your dog, your everyday sun exposure adds up! From the American Cancer Society – Cancer.org Some people think about sun protection only when they spend a day at the lake, beach, or pool. But sun exposure adds up day after day, and it happens every time you are in the sun. "Slip! Slop! Slap! … and Wrap" is a catch phrase that reminds people of the 4 key methods they can use to protect themselves from UV radiation. · Slip on a shirt · Slop on sunscreen · Slap on a hat · Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them from ultraviolet light. From Sun Safety Alliance - sunsafetyalliance.org It makes no difference whether you're Irish, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American—or whatever! People of all races can burn—no matter who you are or where you live! Although everyone is at risk from too much UV exposure, some people with certain skin types may have a higher risk factor. This doesn't mean that if you have a darker skin tone you shouldn't practice proper sun safety though, as skin cancer affects everyone. In fact recent statistics have shown that while those individuals with lighter skin tone have a higher incidence of skin cancer, those with a darker skin tone have a significantly lower survival rate once diagnosed. So everyone should take proper precautions, regardless of skin type! |
