SUN AND BIKE SAFETY TOPICS

 

Preventing Harmful Effects of the Sun

 

Sunburn, skin cancers, and other sun-related adverse health effects are largely preventable when sun protection is practiced early and consistently. Despite the fact that sun tanning and burning increase skin cancer risks, most Americans do not protect themselves from the sun's damaging rays (CDC, 1998)

 

Attitudinal barriers to the sun must be addressed and changed before behaviors will change. Attitudinal barriers to sun protection include the beliefs that is necessary to use sunscreens only while at the beach or pool rather than year round, "a suntanned body is a healthy body", and "you can only get a sunburn in the summer". To overcome these barriers, education must begin early so habits can be developed early and consistently.

 

Children are highly susceptible to harmful UV radiation, since 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. Just one or two blistering sunburns in childhood may double the risk of developing melanoma. Teaching children about sun safety is the key to reducing the risk of future health problems. Still, it is never too late to start sun protective habits.

 

The best sun protection is provided when all the sun-safe behaviors are practiced together. Sun protection habits include:

 

Limit sun exposure during the hours when the sun's rays are the strongest, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To the extent possible, people should limit their exposure to the sun during these hours and practice all the sun protective behaviors. Your shadow is an indicator of the sun's intensity. If your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is at its highest intensity. The American Academy of Dermatology has established the Shadow Rule: No Shadow--SEEK SHADE.

 

Refer to the daily UV index when planning outdoor events. The UV index is a daily forecast of the intensity of the sun's UV rays. The Index indicates the risk of overexposure to skin-damaging UV radiation and can be used to help plan outdoor activities to minimize overexposure.

 

Seek shade whenever possible. Shade structures such as trees and umbrellas provide year round protection. Although trees do not offer complete sun protection, they provide about 60 percent blockage from the sun's rays.

 

Wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long sleeved, tightly woven clothing. Clothing can physically block out the sun's harmful rays and should be one of the first lines of defense against sun exposure.

 

Sunglasses should block out 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation to protect the eyes from damage. Hats are the best way to minimize UV radiation exposure to the face, head, ears, and neck.

 

Use broad-spectrum sunscreens whose active ingredients block UVA and UVB rays. The Sun Protective Factor (SPF) should be a minimum of 15.

 

Sunscreens should be used every day, including cloudy days. They should be applied liberally and evenly before going out into the sun and should be applied frequently, especially after swimming.

 

Avoid tanning salons. Artificial UV radiation is just as bad for your skin as sunlight. Most tanning devices use UVA rays which have been shown to go deeper into the skin and contribute to premature wrinkling and skin cancer (AAD, 1994).

 

Limit exposure to the reflective surfaces like snow and water. UV rays can be reflected off of sand, tile, water, snow, and buildings. It is important to practice all the sun protective behaviors.

 

Source: Permission to reprint granted by the National Safety Council, a membership organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health.

 

Bike Safety Tips

 

Bike crashes can result in serious injury. In 1997, more than half a million persons were injured badly enough to need emergency department care as a result of bike crashes in the United States. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of brain injury from a bike crash as much as 88%.

You can greatly reduce the chances of having a bike-related injury if you follow these simple tips:

 

• Children and adults should always wear a bike helmet every time they ride a bike. Think of a bike helmet as a necessity, not an accessory.
• Adults are important role models for children. If you wear a bike helmet, your children are more likely to wear helmets, too.
• If you child doesn't want to wear a helmet, find out why. Some children don't like to wear helmets because they fear they will be teased by peers or because they think bike helmets are unattractive. Talk about these concerns with your child and choose a helmet he or she will want to wear.

• Ride on the right side of the road with the traffic flow, not against it; obey traffic signs and signals; use correct hand signals; stop at all intersections and crosswalks, both marked and unmarked; stop and look both ways before entering a street; yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and skaters.
• Have children ride on sidewalks and paths until they are at least 10 years old, are able to show good riding skills, and are able to observe the basic rules of the road.
• If riding at dawn, at dusk, or at night, wear reflective clothing (not just light-colored clothing) and make sure that the bike has a headlight and a rear reflector.
• Make sure the bike is in good working order, especially the brakes.
• Encourage your community to build bike paths to separate bike riders from traffic.

 

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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