Fun fact, July is UV Safety Month. July is one of the warmest summer months, and we want to enjoy the good weather as much as we can. Keep reading for 6 tips this UV safety month!
What is UV? Why is it Important to Have UV Safety Month?
UV is short for Ultraviolet (UV) and it is a specific type of ray that radiates off the sun. UV rays are strong, and they cause skin cancer and can damage your eyes if they are not protected against.
UV Safety Month is a month dedicated to educating people about the effects of UV rays.
How Can UV Rays Damage My Eyes?
In the summer, UV rays are more intense than any other season. During the summer, we’re outdoors more, but we’re also exposed to more UV rays.
This means while being in cars and sitting near windows, we are being exposed to stronger UV rays. UV rays can bounce off things like grass, sand, and water and cause damage to your eyes.
UV rays can also hurt your eyes, even when you are indoors.
You should wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. It does not matter if you get regular or wraparound sunglasses.
1. Wraparound sunglasses are helpful because rays won’t come through the sides.
Also, you should still wear sunglasses if your contacts say they have UV protection. You can never have too much protection!
2. Always wear your sunglasses when it is cloudy!
The sun can still get through clouds and fog and damage your eyes.
This means that you should wear your sunglasses all year. Yes, you should be wearing your sunglasses even when it’s snowing! Remember, UV rays can reflect off things like snow.
3. Even though sunglasses do a good job of protecting your eyes, you can always do more.
In the summer you should wear a wide-brimmed hat while wearing your sunglasses. This will give your eyes the most possible protection from UV rays.
4. This is obvious but, do not look directly into the sun.
It does not matter which season, looking at the sun can cause solar retinopathy. Solar retinopathy can cause severe damage to your eyes.
5. You should avoid exposure to the sun during peak hours from 10 am – 2 pm.
If you must be outside during this period, you need to make sure to wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
6. Last but not least, remember that kids are more sensitive to the sun and UV rays, so they need more protection.
Kid’s eyes are easily damaged, so they need a lot of protection.
Anytime a child is outside, they should be wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
Do you need your annual eye exam? They are important to make sure your eyes are healthy. Schedule an appointment at Riverside Eye Center in Auburn, ME now! Don’t let your eye safety slip because you got lazy this summer!