Sun and Summer Safety

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Frank McIntyre
  • 5th Bomb Wing Safety Office
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Being outside on a warm, sunny day is one of life's great pleasures. The sun generates light which is the fuel that plants use for photosynthesis. This is the process by which plants create their energy. We, in turn, depend on plants for the food we eat and the oxygen we breathe. The sun's infrared rays keep us warm and its visible light is what we use to see by, but getting too much sun can be dangerous.

Some people feel that if they tan well, they're protected from the sun's harmful rays. But, while it's true that fair-haired, blue-eyed people are most prone to burning, and therefore are more susceptible to the sun's rays, even "healthy" tans are really damage control - they're your body's way of trying to protect itself from the sun. In other words, there's no such thing as a healthy tan.

The sun, however, is also very important to our health. It provides us with vitamin D (which we need for our bones), and it can lift our spirits. In fact, there's a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (or SAD) that can happen when there's more darkness than daylight - sufferers feel "down" during the winter and much better when summer comes.

Along with visible light and infrared, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is generated, which is useful, but at the same time it can be very dangerous to us. Excessive sun exposure can result in painful sunburn, but can also lead to other serious health problems. It is the cause of most skin cancers, many cataracts and 90% of the changes we see in our skin as we get older. (Nobody wants to look like an old saddle when they get older).

Sunburn is caused by overexposure to Ultraviolet radiation. During a sunburn, the skin turns red, swells and, in severe cases, blisters. A sunburn continues to develop for 12 to 24 hours after exposure.

If, despite being careful, you still get burned, treat your skin as you would any other kind of burn:

· Apply cool, wet compresses for 24 to 48 hours.
· Don't apply skin creams within the first two days.
· Drink a lot of water to keep from feeling dehydrated.

Really severe burns, the kind that produce blisters, are often treated in clinics with dressings. If you're not sure if your burn is severe, have it checked. Severe sunburn can cause chills and fever and consulting a doctor would be wise. Keep sunburned areas out of the sun until the redness is gone.


The goal is to have fun outside but stay safe at the same time. Here are some basic rules:

1. Cover up whenever possible. A longer cotton skirt, for example, might feel cooler on a hot day than a pair of shorts, and will help guard you from the sun.

2. Babies under six months old should be kept out of the sun completely. They're too young for sunscreen, but their delicate skin can burn easily, so keep the baby in the shade and covered as much as possible.

3. Wear a hat. Hats keep the sun's rays off the scalp, face, and back of the neck, prime areas for skin cancer. A good hat will also shelter and protect your eyes from the sun's powerful rays. Sunglasses are also a good idea.

4. Use sunscreen whenever you're outside, even if the sun doesn't seem particularly strong. Damaging ultraviolet rays can penetrate through clouds, so don't take a chance. Always apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Be sure to follow the directions closely and reapply the sunscreen on a regular basis throughout the day, especially after you've been swimming or perspiring (about every two hours).

5. Avoid the sun when it's at its peak. It's strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so use that time to do activities indoors if possible. If you have a choice, stay in the shade. Beach umbrellas will protect you from some of the sun exposure. They are actually very comfortable on sunny days.

If you take prescription drugs, check to see if they can make you more sensitive to the sun. If you're not sure, ask your pharmacist.

The number of skin cancer cases has been rising over the years, and experts say that this is due to increasing exposure to UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. More than one million new skin cancer cases are likely to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. The number of cases of melanoma is rising in the U.S., with an estimated 38,300 cases and 7,300 deaths anticipated this year.

Remember that children's skin is even more sensitive that yours. They can start wearing sunscreen by the time they are six months old. Even so, minimize their exposure.

Watch for the UV Index. The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, provides a forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun and indicates the degree of caution you should take when working, playing, or exercising outdoors. The UV Index predicts exposure levels on a 0 - 10+ scale, where 0 indicates a low risk and 10+ means a very high risk of overexposure to the sun.

Take care of your skin and it will take care of you.