Fun in the sun? Just be careful!

Whether you’ll be sitting on the beach, piloting the boat or lazily casting a fishing line, chances are the rising temperatures and warm sun will be too welcoming for you to ignore. As hospitable as those rays can be, they can also be very dangerous, with skin cancer a serious side effect of overexposure.

Though a number of factors come into play in regard to an individual’s susceptibility to skin cancer, there are a number of precautions those heading out to get some sun can take to limit their chances of suffering any negative side effects of exposure to too much sun. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the following easy precautions should help protect you.

• Limit exposure during midday. Even though these are popular hours for enjoying time outdoors, the most damaging time of day to be exposed to ultraviolet rays is between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Be especially wary when in the water during these hours – sand and water reflect sunlight, increasing the amount of UV radiation you receive.

• Cover up and dress smart. When in the sun, stay as covered as possible. The ACS recommends keeping a shirt on in the sun and wearing dark colors, which prevent more UV rays from reaching your skin. For children, finding bathing suits that protect them from the neck to the knees, along the lines of a surfer’s wetsuit, is recommended.

• Wear a hat. The most ideal hats to wear are those that feature wraparound brims, protecting not only your eyes, nose and face from the sun, but your neck and ears as well. According to the ACS, skin cancers commonly develop on parts left exposed by baseball caps, such as the back of the neck and ears, so wearing a baseball cap is typically not sufficient protection.

• Use a higher-SPF sunscreen. While some shy away from sunscreen products with higher Skin Protection Factor (SPF), using a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 is recommended by the ACS. It’s also important to know that “waterproof” and “water-resistant” sunscreens are different. Waterproof sunscreens can protect you for at least 80 minutes when swimming or even sweating, while water-resistant types typically provide half that amount of protection. Reapplying sunscreen after swimming or excessive sweating is recommended, as is reapplication every two hours, regardless of how much time you’ve spent in the water or how much you’ve perspired.

• Wear protective sunglasses. Sunglasses shouldn’t be just a fashion statement but a way to protect yourself as well. UV-absorbent sunglasses are recommended, since they can block between 99 and 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation (always check the label before purchasing). Children, too, should wear such glasses, since their eyes are just as susceptible to sun damage as an adult’s.

• Check your skin. Checking your skin on a daily basis after showering or bathing is an easy and safe precaution to take. In a well-lit room, look for changes in size, shape, color or texture of any blemishes or any sores that aren’t healing. Anything suspicious should immediately be brought to the attention of your physician. The earlier signs of precancerous conditions are detected, the more likely the treatment will be simple, safe and successful.