Being Sun Smart

It's been unseasonably hot today. The weather as I'm typing is 31 deg, putting us just behind Canberra and Darwin (32+). Even with the windows open, not a gust of wind is to be felt. We've moved from needing a heater to needing a fan within a matter of weeks! (We do have an aircon right over our heads as we type this, but this is an open plan house, and it just doesn't make sense to have the cold air running all over the place.)

A perfect time to talk to Beth about the Sun Smart policy and what it means for us. Cheng Ann got Beth to memorize the 5 key principles, and she did it really well!

1. Wear loose sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
2. Apply SPF30+ broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen 20 mins before going outdoors, and reapply every 2 hours.
3. Wear a hat that covers your face, neck, ears.
4. Stay in the shade if you can.
5. Wear sunglasses that meet Australian Standards AS 1067, preferably marked EPF (eye protection factor) 10.

And what better place to purchase sun protection items from than the Cancer Council? With Aussies having the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, it pays to be diligent.

Something to ponder: if you've applied a moisturizer that has SPF protection, do you still need to wear sunblock on your face?