Putting on sunscreen is one of my least favorite activities. It’s greasy, slimy and just down right annoying.
I always say I can’t wait for the day until someone invents a machine where I can just step in, get a nice, even coat of sunscreen all over, step out and be done. What could be better than that?
Until that day arrives, however, I will continue to grudge through the greasy layers of sunscreen application, because I know it could save my life.
I started thinking about this in detail after I saw an interesting web app dedicated to letting someone know if they need to wear sunscreen that day or not.
The app, “Should I Wear Sunscreen today?” tells someone just a simple “yes” or “no” if they should wear sunscreen that day. All you have to do is enter your zip code, and a nice message will appear with some great information about your specific area.
Since we’re based in Tuscaloosa, (and yes, the South is as hot and humid as every movie has depicted) I get this message “Tuscaloosa, AL: Very High UV levels and MOSTLY SUNNY. Roses are red, violets are blue; reapply, or you’ll be red, too.”
Then, it gives a nice informative message about the sun’s UV rays:
Highlight the importance of sun safety at your workplace. Use a ‘Sun-Protective Equipment Must Be Worn on Site’ sign. Protect your employees from harsh UV rays. (MySafetySign)
“There’s a high risk of sun damage when the sun is this strong. It is estimated that 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65 percent of melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.”
According to MySafetySign, which is the company that developed the app, only 58 percent of adults regularly practice one of three main behaviors when it comes to sun protection:
- using sunscreen
- wearing sun-protective clothing
- seeking shade
The American Cancer Society reports that more than 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. It also predicts that more than 76,600 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed for 2013 alone.
Sunscreen is not exactly the most enjoyable product, but if you want to keep you and your crews protected year-round, get over the grease and get smart about skin protection.
