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Stay healthy this summer and follow these sun safety tips

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Protecting yourself from ultraviolet rays is a critical step in avoiding skin cancer.

Cancer.org recommends staying in the shade if possible. If you need to head out into the sun, the website suggests the following:

  • Slip on a shirt.
  • Slop on sunscreen.
  • Slap on a hat.
  • Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and skin around them.

WebMD said sunscreen is an important tool to fight the sun. The website gives the following sunscreen tips:

Wear sunscreen every day, in all weather and in every season. It should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 and say “broad-spectrum” on the label, which means it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Put it on at least 15 minutes before going outside. Use 1 ounce, which would fill a shot glass. Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours or more often if you’re sweating or swimming. If you’re a parent, protect your child’s skin and practice those habits together.

Melanoma can occur anywhere. OutRunTheSun.org said one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Join WISH-TV at Out Run The Sun Race Against Melanoma on June 13th at 7pm at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park. Click here for more information on the run.