4 Ways to Stay Safe in the Sun

Protecting Yourself From the Sun and Other Summer Perils

Summertime activities bring happiness but can also bring some trouble. With careful preparation, you can safely avoid some of the more hazardous parts of summer. Here are four threats to be mindful of — and ways to keep you and your family safe.

Sun Safety

Prevent sunburns and heat exhaustion by:

• Limiting sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. According to the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA)¹, this time during the day is when UV radiation is at its highest and most damaging.
• Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply your sunscreen about 30 minutes before venturing outside and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day. This ensures you will stay hydrated and allow you to cool down from the heat.
• Taking frequent breaks when playing sports or working in the heat. It is important to rest your body under the shade, probably with a towel and a cool beverage.

Water Safety

Drowning-related injuries are a leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, especially among children. Here are four tips you should follow to stay safe in the water:

• Never leave children in any form of water alone.
• For younger children, stay within an arm's length while in the water with them.²
• Children who cannot swim should always wear life vests, offering more protection than merely inflatable floaties.

Both children and adults should wear approved life vests when boating, water skiing or jet skiing.

Driving Safety

It might seem strange to consider practicing sun safety while driving, but, according to a study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology³, almost 53% of skin cancers in the U.S. occur on the left side of the body. The likely reason? UV exposure from the window (or left) side of the driver's seat.

Stay sun-safe while driving by:

• Applying sunscreen to exposed skin before driving. Keep a tube handy for reapplication if you are on an extra-long road trip.
• Tinting your vehicle's windows. Protective film designed to screen out UVA and UVB rays can help provide protection when your window's up.
• Wearing sunglasses that block out UV light. Your eyes are very vulnerable to the sun's rays, so keep them protected.

Camping and Picnic Safety

A hike in the woods or picnic in the park can be great fun, but nothing puts a damper on a fun, outdoor activity like uninvited guests. Mosquitoes and ticks not only make you itchy and miserable, but they can also carry infectious diseases.

The easiest way to ward off these pests is to wear long sleeves, pants and hiking boots. But when the summer heat wins out, and you need to dress light, follow these four tips:

• Use bug repellent.
• Avoid standing water.
• Stay away from taller grasses.
• Take a shower immediately after coming inside.

Get out in the sun and enjoy that precious time with your family. With a little safety and planning, the summer sun can really mean summer fun.

Summer is a great time to create a preventive care schedule to protect yourself earlier than later. If you're looking for a health plan that focuses on preventive care, learn more about GuideStone's individual insurance coverage or group insurance coverage.

If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at Insurance@GuideStone.org or 1-844-INS-GUIDE (1-844-467-4843), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.

¹Evironmental Protection Agency
²American Academy of Pediatrics, 2019
³Skin Cancer Foundation, 2021