Health

Winter sun protection 

As the weather starts to get cooler many people start wondering if there is a need to protect themselves from the sun’s damaging rays. The answer is yes. You can get sun damage on windy, cloudy and cool days. Sun damage is caused by UV radiation, not temperature. A cool or overcast day in summer can have similar UV levels to a warm, sunny day.

It is important that SunSmart behaviour becomes a consistent lifestyle choice and is not solely associated with summer activities.

Check the daily sun protection times, available online (cancer.org.au or bom.gov.au/uv), or in the weather section of newspapers, or on the free SunSmart app. 

The sun protection times show when the UV is forecast to be three or above.

Whenever you’re outdoors don’t forget to Slip on a shirt, Slip on sunscreen, Slap on a SunSmart hat, Seek shade and Slide on some sunglasses.

Jenny Hill

College Nurse

Reference: Cancer Council WA