2008 Woodie Awards
Sun safety: what many spring breakers do not think about
Lindsay Wilcox
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
When departing for the biggest vacation of the year for college students, spring break, many young adults are not thinking about the dangers of the sun. Instead they are thinking about the parties, the beaches, the clubs and all the fun they are about to experience. The following are sun safety tips that are not only for those that are going to the beach but also vacationers that are hitting the slopes for spring break. Many are unaware or forget that snow, like water, increases the reflection of the sun's rays and makes it easier for an individual to be sunburned.
The most important action that an individual can take to protect oneself from the sun is to wear sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least fifteen. Those that burn more easily should increase their SPF. It is vital to reapply the sunscreen after swimming, sweating and after the lapse time that is recommended on the bottle. It is essential to wear sunscreen even if it is cloudy; this applies both for beach goers and if you are doing any activity in the snow.
Another sun safety tip is to wear sunglasses. This may seem obvious but it is often overlooked when it comes to protecting oneself from the sun. The FDA has implemented a system to help decide which type of lens is best to block out harmful UV rays. The first is Cosmetic lens (provides the least protection as only twenty percent of UVA rays are blocked), General Purpose lens (sufficient for most outdoor activities and blocks sixty percent of UVA rays) and Special Purpose lens (these are especially useful for tropical destinations and ski and snowboard slopes and blocks sixty percent UVA rays). Along with wearing protective eyewear it is also very important to wear protective clothing and hats.
Another thing that students need to be aware of is dehydration. Dehydration can be a serious concern in spending time in the sun and drinking alcohol. Warning signs of dehydration include feeling thirsty, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, headache, and decreased urine output.
While Spring Break is a great time for students to relax, hang out with friends and enjoy time away from classes, it has earned a reputation for partying hard and risky behaviors. Just because Spring Break is associated with risky behaviors does not mean that you have to put yourself at risk.
Make sure you remember to stop by the Safety Spring Break table set up in Cheel for give-aways, freebies and to sign the Safety Spring Break Pledge.
The most important action that an individual can take to protect oneself from the sun is to wear sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least fifteen. Those that burn more easily should increase their SPF. It is vital to reapply the sunscreen after swimming, sweating and after the lapse time that is recommended on the bottle. It is essential to wear sunscreen even if it is cloudy; this applies both for beach goers and if you are doing any activity in the snow.
Another sun safety tip is to wear sunglasses. This may seem obvious but it is often overlooked when it comes to protecting oneself from the sun. The FDA has implemented a system to help decide which type of lens is best to block out harmful UV rays. The first is Cosmetic lens (provides the least protection as only twenty percent of UVA rays are blocked), General Purpose lens (sufficient for most outdoor activities and blocks sixty percent of UVA rays) and Special Purpose lens (these are especially useful for tropical destinations and ski and snowboard slopes and blocks sixty percent UVA rays). Along with wearing protective eyewear it is also very important to wear protective clothing and hats.
Another thing that students need to be aware of is dehydration. Dehydration can be a serious concern in spending time in the sun and drinking alcohol. Warning signs of dehydration include feeling thirsty, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, headache, and decreased urine output.
While Spring Break is a great time for students to relax, hang out with friends and enjoy time away from classes, it has earned a reputation for partying hard and risky behaviors. Just because Spring Break is associated with risky behaviors does not mean that you have to put yourself at risk.
Make sure you remember to stop by the Safety Spring Break table set up in Cheel for give-aways, freebies and to sign the Safety Spring Break Pledge.
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