Happy Don’t Fry Day! No really it’s Don’t Fry Day!  The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has declared today, the Friday before Memorial Day, Don’t Fry Day in hopes that everyone will remember to practice sun safety as the summer season begins and more people enjoy the outdoors.

According to the American Cancer Society skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and melanoma, the most serious, will account for more than 76,600 cases in 2013. As more people head outdoors the risk of ultraviolet (UV) damage of the skin increases, so steps to prevent skin cancer should be taken. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention recommends avoiding overexposure to UV radiation.

Community Health Centers, as part of their mission and commitment to wellness, provide communities with the services and information that prevent and control diseases.  That is why some of them are taking to social media to help spread awareness of Fry Day and share tips from organizations like the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention and the American Cancer Society on how to enjoy the outdoors while preventing skin cancer.

• Avoid direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• When the sun’s rays are strongest seek shade.
• Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun.
• 30 minutes before heading outdoors apply a generous amount (palmful) of sunscreen that is at least SPF30 or higher.
• Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming, toweling dry, or sweating.
• Wear a hat that shades your face, ears and neck (think wide brim).
• Use those sunglasses and make sure they have 100% UVA and UVB absorption to protect your eyes.
• Sunscreen does not equal UV protection—it’s not magical armor so don’t use it to stay in the sun longer.
• Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days and follow the previous steps. Just because it’s cloudy or overcast doesn’t mean the UV rays won’t damage your skin.

Enjoy the outdoors!