The Lanzarote Safety and Emergency Consortium informs that,according to AEMET data, the forecast of the maximum UV radiation index in clear sky conditions for this Saturday, July 5 in Lanzarote is 11, considered 'extremely high'.
In this sense, the Lanzarote Safety and Emergency Consortium reminds the public of some recommendations regarding this situation.
Protect yourself from UV Rays
You should be especially careful when exposing yourself to the sun if you:
· Have a large number of moles, irregular moles or large moles.
· Have freckles or burn before tanning.
· Have fair skin or blond, red or light brown hair; or spend a lot of time outdoors.
Cover yourself. Wear clothing that protects your skin as much as possible. Wear clothing that does not let visible light through. To determine if clothing will protect you, do the following test: Place a hand between the fabric and a light source. If you can see your hand through the fabric, the garment offers little protection from sun exposure.
1. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Experts recommend products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. The SPF number represents the level of protection against sunburn provided by the sunscreen.
An SPF 15 blocks 93% of the UV rays that cause burns; an SPF 30 blocks 97% of the UV rays that cause burns. Products labeled 'broad spectrum' block UVB and UVA radiation. UVA and UVB rays cause skin cancer.
2. Wear a hat. A wide-brimmed hat is ideal, as it protects the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. A visor-type cap offers some protection for the forehead and the top of the head, but not for the nape of the neck or the ears, places where skin cancer commonly occurs.
3. Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Sunglasses with UV protection can help protect your eyes from sun damage.
The ideal sunglasses are not necessarily expensive, but they should block between 99 and 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Check the label to make sure. Darker glasses are not necessarily the best. UV protection is due to an invisible chemical that is applied to the lenses, not the darkness of the lenses.
4. Limit direct sun exposure. The highest intensity of UV rays is recorded when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you are not sure about the intensity of the sun, do the shadow test: If the shadow you cast is smaller than you, you are in the period of greatest intensity of solar rays. Stay in the shade whenever possible.
You can also find out the UV index for your region. The UV index can usually be found in the local newspaper or on television, radio and internet news. It indicates the forecast for noon UV radiation reaching the earth's surface on a scale of 1 to >11. The higher the number, the greater the exposure to UV radiation. This index helps determine when sun exposure should be avoided and when additional protective measures should be taken.
Color Risk UV Index
? Green: Low
? Yellow: Moderate 3-5
? Orange: High 6-7
? Red: Very high 8-10
? Purple: Extremely high 11 or >
11 or >: Extreme
A UV index of 11 or higher indicates that there is an extreme risk that unprotected sun exposure will be harmful to health. You should minimize sun exposure during midday hours, between
11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen with a minimum protection factor of 15 every 2 hours:
Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn in minutes. Beach sand and other light surfaces reflect ultraviolet rays and increase exposure to UV radiation.
Avoid the sun between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Try to stay in the shade, cover yourself, wear a hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen with a high SPF.
Beat the heat
If possible, stay indoors on days when the UV index is very high. Take the opportunity to relax with a good book instead of facing dangerous levels of sun exposure. Avoid outdoor activities, whether for work or play, unless you protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.