Summer Sun Protection

It’s that time of year. Time to head outside and enjoy all of the fun summer activities. It is very important to take protective measures against heat-related illness and sun exposure while enjoying the outdoors. Here is some information and tips to help you stay safe in the sun this summer.

The Facts about Ultraviolet (UV) Light and Skin Damage: [1]

• Sunlight is strong and can cause skin cancer, premature aging of your skin and can be harmful to your eyes
• The two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be harmful to you are UVA and UVB rays
• UV rays can get through clouds, fog and haze, and can be reflected by water, sand, concrete and snow

UV Index

The UV index is a useful tool that tells you the strength of the sun’s UV rays. Check the UV Index daily before going outside. When the UV Index reaches 3 or higher it is a good idea to protect your skin. The sun’s rays are the highest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Tips for Avoiding Skin Damage:[2]

• Choose to sit under a tree or an awning to avoid the sun. If you can see the sky from your shady spot, you may still need to use other methods to protect yourself from the sun’s rays
• Wear UV-protective clothing and a hat with a wide brim
• Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection that wrap around your face, completely protecting your eyes
• Use SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Try to plan activities in the shade[3]
• Some medications may negatively react with sun exposure. Be sure to read the label and information leaflet carefully to find out if there may be side effects.

Heat related Illness

It is important to keep cool and drink plenty of fluids when spending time outdoors during the summer months. Heat related illnesses can affect you quickly, so prepare for the heat and educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses. Visit the Health Canada website for more information on how to protect yourself from extreme heat.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

LifeWorks contains the resources to guide you in making healthy choices every day. Check out this months’ recommended Podcast:

• Becoming a Better Listener

Did You Know?

Through the voluntary STRATA Select Program, you are eligible for hotel discounts. STRATA Select has teamed up with Choice Hotels® to make travelling more enjoyable and convenient with a 15% discount. Choice Hotels® group of hotels includes Comfort™, Quality®, Clarion® and many more. With over 6,300 Choice Hotels® locations worldwide and 325 locations spanning across all provinces, you will be sure to find a conveniently located Choice Hotel for your stay.

Log on to your STRATA Select website for more information.

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[1] Sun and UV. Canadian Cancer Society. 2016. http://www.cancer.ca/en/prevention-and-screening/live-well/sun-and-uv/?region=qc

[2] Being safe in the sun. Canadian Cancer Society. 2016. http://www.cancer.ca/en/prevention-and-screening/live-well/sun-and-uv/being-safe-in-the-sun/?region=qc

[3] Protecting Your Family. Canadian Dermatology Association. 2016. http://www.dermatology.ca/programs-resources/resources/sun-safety/#!/programs-resources/resources/sun-safety/protecting-your-family/