Sun Safety: Respect the Heat

When I was a kid, I spent much of my day outdoors. As I got older and became interested in gardening and other hobbies, more and more of my time was spent in the hot sun, and I hardly ever wore sunscreen.

This was a common theme in my family, but a trend that I have stopped when it comes to my children. I love spring and the smell of freshly cut grass as I tend to my garden, but safety in the sun is of utmost importance.

It is because of this unrepentant sun worshiper mentality that members of my family have had to go under the knife again and again to have various skin cancers removed from their face and bodies. While it may not seem like a big deal while you are out in it, the sun can cause serious injury and possibly death if the cancer becomes terminal or you experience heat stroke. Here are some tips to keep yourself safe while out in your yard:

1. Sun block: When the sun tans or reddens your skin, you are being cooked. The same reasoning behind why your chicken turns a nice golden brown in the oven, translates to why you tan and burn. Apply sun block regularly of at least SPF 30 or preferably higher to keep from cooking yourself outside.

2. Wear wide-brimmed hats: They may not make the runways of fashion week, but large, wide-brimmed hats block the sun from hitting your skin, especially your face. Do they look ridiculous? Yes. Will they save you an agonizing trip to the surgeon to have large chunks of your face removed? Possibly.

3. Keep hydrated: The sun not only bake your skin, but also heats you up and causes you to sweat. You lose significant moisture through sweating, and this can dehydrate you. Always keep a bottle or two of water with you when working outside. Take drinks frequently, and if you start getting a headache or experience dizziness, then stop what you are doing and go to a cool place to rest. If it doesn’t get any better, then call a doctor.

I am actually one of the lucky ones in my family so far. I haven’t experience any skin cancers or other sun blemishes, and hopefully, I won’t. I began respecting the sun in the mid ’90s after a particularly harrowing incident where I developed heat exhaustion from spending too much time outside with no protection. I not only nearly passed out, but also had severe burning and blistering from the burns.

The sun is what sustains life on this planet, but if you don’t respect its power, then it can cause you serious pains now and down the road.

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