Dont Fry Day is Friday / EPA Sun Safety Tips (HQ)
WASHINGTON – The Friday before Memorial Day is “Don’t
Fry Day,” a time to remind people at the start of summer
about the dangers from exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is on the rise in
America and is the most common cancer among young adults aged
25-29. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
SunWise program and the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention
have partnered to provide simple tips on protecting yourself that
could save lives.
“Many people still do not realize
that unprotected sun exposure can lead to skin cancer and other
health problems,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator
for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Simple steps
such as using sunscreen, putting on sunglasses or wearing a hat can
protect us and our families, while still enjoying the great
outdoors.”
One American dies from skin cancer every hour. It is the most
common type of cancer in the United States, where skin cancer
affects more than two million people each year, outnumbering the
cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. One in
five Americans will develop the disease in their lifetime. Over
exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main
cause of skin cancer.
Although skin cancer risk factors are
always present even during the winter, the dangers are greater
during the summer months, when the days are longer and more people
are outside for longer periods of time. As millions of Americans
kick off the summer season this Memorial Day weekend by enjoying
the great outdoors, EPA encourages families to learn about sun-safe
practices and to reduce overexposure to UV.
For “Don’t Fry Day,” (May 27
this year), EPA encourages Americans to take these few, easy
precautions when they are outside:
· Seek shade. Find shade during the sun’s peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to reduce the risk of too much sun exposure
· Check the UV Index. When planning outdoor activities check the UV Index to identify the times that pose the greatest risk for overexposure to the sun
EPA’s SunWise program is the nation’s largest environmental and health education program designed to encourage kids and their caregivers to practice safe sun habits.
More information on “Don’t Fry Day” and additional sun safety resources: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfd.html
Actualities (sound bites): http://www.epa.gov/adminweb/multimedia/newscontent/2011-5-23-oa/index.html