Tips For Staying Safe In The Sun In And Around Your Home

The heat of the summer can spell tons of outdoor enjoyment. It can also spell a lot of danger to the health of you and your loved ones. Whether you’re at the beach, hanging out in the park, or simply enjoying an outdoor BBQ, you’ll want to have sun safety at the top of your list. 

Sun Is A Good Thing

Sunlight is a good thing. It helps plants and flowers to grow. It provides us with much needed vitamin D, and it gives us happiness as we bask in the glory of the sun. There’s one major problem with sunlight and that is the harmful UV rays that come from the light itself and can cause health problems and damage to our homes. Read on for more tips and information surrounding UV rays and how to stay safe in the sun.

UV rays stand for ultraviolet radiation. There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin at a deep level and are responsible for aging cells, causing wrinkles, and other visible signs of aging. UVB rays are what cause your skin to burn when you’re out in the sun. Both of these types of UV rays have been shown to be responsible for causing various types of cancer.

If you know when and how to avoid UV rays, you can protect yourself and your family from danger. UV rays peak between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. The forecast sometimes includes something called the UV index which helps you to know how strong the rays will be that day. As a hint, when the UV rays are the strongest, your shadow will appear shorter than your actual size. If you see that short shadow, it may be a good time to stay out of the sunlight, at least directly.          

Damage To Your Home

If the windows in your home aren’t equipped with UV protection, you could be facing UV damage inside your home as well as out. High quality windows and window films can help to protect the inside of your home from up to 99% of harmful UV rays. The good news is that you don’t need to replace your windows in order to get the protection. A simple UV protectant film will do.  

Your Fabrics Fade

UV rays can cause the fabrics in your home to fade and deteriorate over time. Everything from your window treatments to your sofa can lose their color. Buying the right kind of window treatments (like blackout shades and curtains) and positioning your furniture strategically can help you to avoid the effects of UV rays inside of your home. Stay safe in the sun this season both indoors and out by taking the right precautions.