fitnesstemplate

* Sun Protection *

The sun is a great source of vitamin D and we need to be exposed to it in moderation. The sun is strongest from 10:00 a.m - 4:00 pm. Sun exposure helps our body to absorb calcium and make our bones strong. But too much sun can also make us sick. The sun's ultraviolet rays can damage our skin, eyes, and even give us skin cancer. It is very important to take care of our skin so we can avoid skin cancer and many other skin diseases. We can protect our bodies from ultraviolet rays by using sunscreen, light color clothes and sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

There are three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB and UVC.

Type of Ultraviolet Ray

Causes

UVA

- Most of the UVA
rays pass through
the ozone layer.

Wrinkles	Melanoma
facial wrinkles due to sun damage

UVB

- Most of the UVB
rays are absorved by
ozone layer.

Sunburns	Cataracts
* Picture drawn in KidPix 4 by Brandon*
Damages The Immune System	Skin Cancer
	www.cbc.ca/gfx/pix/cancer_basal_cell.jpg

UVC

- Block by the ozone
layer and don't reach
the earth.

The above picture shows how the ultraviolet rays reach the earth. Notice that UVA and UVB reaches the earth while UVC doesn't.

* The above information was found in http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/sun_safety.html *

You can minimize short term and long term harmful effects by using suncreen and wearing light clothing. Not all sunscreens can provide you with the same protection. It is important to look at SPF (Sun Protection Factor) on the sunscreen bottle labels. The higher the SPF the better it is. Always use water resistant sunscreen and don't forget to apply it 30 minutes before going outside and remember to reapply after swimming. Ultraviolet rays are not only at the beach but all around us. We must use sunscreen consistently to have a healthy skin.

Ultraviolet rays can cause short and long term skin damage

Short Term	Long Term
sunburn	Weaken the Immune System
rashes	Skin Cancer
premature skin aging	Skin Cancer

* http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/sunkids.htm *

Remember to protect yourself from UV rays to avoid the sun's harmful effects.
Avoid Direct Sun Exposure	Ultraviolet rays are more intense between 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. * Picture drawn in KidPix 4 by Oscar *
Cover Yourself
Use Sunscreen	* The above picture was made by Brandon in KidPix 4 *
Use Sunglasses that block UV Rays	* The above picture was drawn by Oscar in KidPix 4 *