By Barry University Nursing Students: Shazad Chevalwala, Maikel Couto, Zoe Doble, Louis Pierre and Peggy Rios

Summer season is around the corner.

• Do you know what today’s UV index is?
• Do you know the minimal SPF sun screen you should apply?
• Are you safe from the harmful affects of sun on your skin and eyes?

Making sun safety a top priority in prevention of skin cancer, five of us nursing students from Barry University have taken a strong interest in finding new ways to bring sun safety awareness to both residents and visitors of the beautiful city of Sunny Isles Beach.

Some people think about sun protection only when they spend a day at the beach or pool. But sun exposure adds up day after day, and it happens every time you are in the sun. It isn't possible or practical to completely avoid sunlight, and it would be unwise to reduce your level of activity to avoid the outdoors. After all, time spent in sunlight helps your body make vitamin D, which is important for good health. But too much sunlight can be harmful.

As the summer approaches, there are some steps you can take to limit your amount of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun. Several steps—such as finding shade, wearing hats, sunglasses and proper clothing—are needed to shield your skin from the sun.

"Slip! Slop! Slap! … and Wrap" is a catch phrase to remind us of 4-key steps we can take to protect ourselves from UV radiation.

• Slip on a shirt.
• Slop on sunscreen.
• Slap on a hat.
• Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them from ultraviolet light.

When used together, these steps provide the best protection.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.

If expecting prolonged exposure to sun, generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

Seek shade when appropriate remembering that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use extra caution near water and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of getting sunburn.

When planning outdoor activities, find out the UV Index. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the UV Index is a 0 – 10+ rating of the strength of the ultraviolet rays. The UV Index rating system includes actions you can take to prevent overexposure to the sun as follows:

• 0-2. Minimal. Put on a wide-brimmed hat and other cover-up clothes.
• 3-4. Low. Do the minimal plus wear sunscreen and sun glasses.
• 5-6. Moderate. Do the minimal and low plus play in the shade as much as possible.
• 7-9. High. Do the minimal, low and moderate plus be extra careful to protect yourself during peak sun intensity hours (10 .m. – 4 p.m.) by staying inside or in the shade.
• 10+. Very High. Do the minimal, low, moderate and high plus stay inside as much as possible, especially during peak sun intensity hours (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.).

The City of Sunny Isles Beach lifeguards now post the UV Index:

• On the City’s website: www.sibfl.net under Beach Conditions.
• On the Beach Condition Hotline (305.792.1940).
• At all City Lifeguard stations.

We know that this information will help promote awareness, increase safety and promote a healthier lifestyle for all residents and visitors. For further information regarding sun safety please visit the following national websites supporting the cause: http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/ & http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/PED_7.asp.
We wish you all a Sun Safe Summer.

(Note: The Barry University nursing students who submitted this article approached City staff regarding this community project and have provided the information for this Sun Safe campaign. Their concern is educating the public about being sun safe to help prevent skin cancer. The City Commission acknowledges the students efforts in this regard and City staff is happy to cooperate in this effort. Barry University is a private Catholic educational institution, at 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695. Phone number: 305-899-3000 - Toll-free: 1-800-756-6000, E-mail: webmaster@mail.barry.edu.)