The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention is spreading the word that the Friday before Memorial Day as Don’t Fry Day. The Council want to encourage sun safety awareness by reminding everyone to protect their skin for sun damage whilst still enjoying the outdoors on Don’t Fry Day and every day.

Remember to Slip! Slop! Slap!…and Wrap when you’re outdoors — slip on a (UV blocking) clothing, slop on BROAD SPECTRUM sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses.

Don’t fry day

Because no single step can fully protect you and your family from overexposure to UV radiation, follow as many of the following tips as possible:

• Wear sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat 3 inches at least, and sunglasses.
• Apply BROAD SPECTRUM sunscreen generously (remember it takes 20 minutes to even start working, so plan ahead and apply 20 minutes being going out in the sun).
• Avoid sun burns, tanning, and using tanning beds.
• Seek shade between 10am and 4pm.
• Use extra caution near water and sand. Remember reflective surfaces increase the intensity of the rays.
• Get vitamin D safely through food and vitamin D supplements.

As warm weather approaches and millions of Americans prepare to enjoy the great outdoors, the risk for ultraviolet (UV) damage of the skin increases. Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that one American dies every hour from skin cancer.

The best way to detect skin cancer early is to examine your skin regularly and recognize changes in moles and skin growths.

Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Using a sunless self-tanning product and continuing to apply sunscreen can help greatly reduce skin cancer risk.

People with lighter-toned skin are more at risk of UV damage, although people of all races can and do develop skin cancer. If you have a family history of skin cancer, lots of moles or freckles, or a history of severe childhood sunburns you are at a higher risk of skin cancer.

It’s never too early to start educating your children to be sun smart using jewelry with color changing beads that react to UV light can be a big help as your kids get to become UV detectives!

Minimizing the dangerous effects of unprotected sun exposure, should be a life-long practice for everyone.