How to be Safe in the Sunshine

Have you spread the word about the dangers of ultraviolet radiation exposure to your clients lately? The sun emits harmful radiation in the form of ultraviolet rays that can be damaging to the skin and eyes. Here are some quick facts:

  • UV-A rays have long wavelengths that can penetrate the middle layer of your skin and cause long-term skin damage. Skin damage is cumulative, so prolonged exposure to UV-A rays causes premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.

  • UV-B rays have short wavelengths that reach the outer layer of your skin and are the main cause of sunburns. These rays are also harmful to the eyes and can cause a corneal sunburn and contribute to the development of cataracts. Other eye diseases linked to UV radiations include macular degeneration and pterygium. 

Raising awareness about the dangers of UV radiation and how it can be minimized also calls attention to your agency and its place as a health leader in your community. Here are some ideas to consider:

  • Print and distribute sun safety information throughout your service area. We can print sun safety flyers for you from reputable sources such as The American Academy of Dermatology and the Centers for Disease Control. 

  • Stop by all your local senior communities to distribute sunscreen and hand it out with copies of your Marketing Brochure.

  • Share UV safety tips on a Retractable Banner at your agency. We can create a banner and include tips on it like those shown below:

        1. Wear sunglasses that screen out 75% to 90% of visible light and block out 99% (UV400) of both UVA and UVB radiation.

        2. Avoid indoor tanning. Tanning beds expose the skin to both UVA and UVB radiation. UV skin damage is cumulative, and those who begin indoor tanning before the age of 35 increase their risk for developing melanoma by 75%.

        3. Stay in the shade as much as possible during the peak hours of sun exposure between 10am – 4pm.

        4. Wear sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 every day. Apply at least an ounce of sunscreen every two hours when out in the sun. Reapply more often if you are sweating or swimming. Allow sunscreen to fully soak in before going back into the pool or it will wash right off.

        5. Cover up your skin by wearing long-sleeve shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats.

        6. Avoid prolonged exposure to sun-amplifying surfaces like sand, water, snow, and even windows, especially during the peak hours of the day.

We encourage you to visit our web store for informational materials for Home Heath and Hospice Care.  

Eye Injury Awareness

July is eye injury awareness month which makes this the perfect time to remind everyone about the dangers of fireworks and the injuries they can cause. Thousands of revelers will suffer eye injuries from fireworks mishaps during the four-week span around July 4th.  Fireworks can cause permanent eye damage as result of burns, corneal abrasions, ruptures, and retinal detachment, and according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 14% of all firework injures reported in 2017 were eyes related injuries.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, if an eye injury from fireworks occurs:

  • Seek medical attention immediately.

  • Treat only the most minor eye injuries at home. 

  • Do not rub your eyes.

  • Do not rinse your eyes.

  • Do not apply pressure.

  • Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.

  • Do not apply ointments or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Injury statistics from 2017 Fireworks Annual Report: Fireworks-Related Deaths, Emergency Department-Treated Injuries, and Enforcement Activities During 2017:

  • There were 8 fatalities and 12,900 Injuries related to firework accidents.

  • Approximately 8,700 of the fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms during the two weeks prior to and after July fourth. 

  • An estimated 1,200 of those emergency room visits were associated with sparklers.

  • 70% of those with fireworks-related injuries were male.

  • Children under 15 years of age accounted for more than a third of the firework related injuries.

Home Health offers care for the visually impaired. Common conditions other than injury that cause permanent vision loss include age related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic related eye disease.

Spread the word through your social media posts about celebrating safely throughout the summer. Include tips on sun safety, fireworks safety, and the importance of staying hydrated.

Visit tagwebstore.com for patient information on vision health and other conditions commonly treated by home health and hospice caregivers.

Sun Damage is Cumulative

Summer will soon be in full swing! It’s time to bring out those shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. Make sure that in addition to those flops, you include wide brim hats, sun glasses, and sun screen whenever you plan to be outside. Dermatologists recommend that everyone generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher to protect their skin.

The ultraviolet rays from the sun can adversely affect skin and eyes. Research shows that 80% of skin aging comes from these damaging UV rays. Home health nurses see patients weekly, which puts them on the front line of skin cancer detection. Recurrent examinations enable them to identify skin changes, suspicious moles, or dry patches that might indicate basal or squamous cell skin cancer. This is especially helpful for those patients who have a history of skin cancers and need assistance monitoring areas of their skin that they cannot easily see.

Promote skin health and the importance of early detection in your home health marketing.

Here are some ways your agency can promote safe sun practices:

  • Post about the dangers of UV radiation and sun protection throughout the summer on your social media outlets and blogs.

  • Set an example! Use sunscreen and be a shade seeker!

  • Encourage your family and friends to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, avoid tanning beds, and midday sun.

  • It’s never too early to start protecting your skin! Offer to give safe sun presentations at local elementary schools. Call us at 866.232.6477 to hook you up with cool hand outs for the kids.   

  • Partner with your referral groups to sponsor a skin cancer screening event at a popular community gathering.

Visit the TAG Webstore for skin cancer awareness marketing flyers.

For more information on Skin Cancer visit the Skin Cancer Foundation, National Cancer Institute, or American Cancer Society