July is Sun Safety Awareness Month

Hello Summer!

July is Sun Safety Awareness Month and the Jemez Public Health Program wants to educate, encourage and raise awareness within the Jemez community about the benefits of sun protection! Throughout the next few weeks, look out for fun interactive activities to learn ways to protect yourself from the sun.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022, marked the official first day of summer, which means early sunrises and late nights filled with fun! As the days get longer and the temperatures continue to rise, we find ourselves spending more time outside. Whether you’re engaging in physical activity, tending to crops, or spending time with friends and family outdoors, getting your daily dose of Vitamin D is important. However, spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin damage and skin cancer and it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Protecting your skin from UV rays is important all year, but more so during the summer months. UV rays tend to be the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can reach you even on cloudy and cool days. UV rays reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, and sand, so it is important to always protect your skin with sunscreen even when the sun is not shining.

Use the Sun Safety tips below to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.