Four Winter Sun Safety Tips for National Safety Week

Protecting your skin and eyes from the sun’s UV rays in the summertime is critical. But sun protection is also essential in the winter months. As part of National Safety Week (Jan. 19-27), an event promoted by the National Ski Areas Association, we at Klein Buendel are providing a few helpful winter sun protection tips.

It is important to keep in mind that heat and cold are not measures of UV intensity. However, climate, season, elevation, and latitude all affect the amount of sunlight a location receives. For example, the closer a place is to the equator, the lower the latitude and the stronger the sun’s rays become. The sun’s rays are also stronger at higher elevations. It is easier to sunburn and damage the skin at higher elevations because the atmosphere is thinner and the sunlight doesn’t have to travel as far to reach you. Most people don’t realize that UV increases about 5 percent for every 1,000 feet in elevation. That means that at a mile high, Denver’s UV is 26 percent more intense than at sea level. In addition, fresh snow can reflect up to 94 percent of the sun’s UV back up at you.¹

In the winter, be sure to:

1. Dress with care – Wear clothes that protect your skin – be sure to cover up as much as possible if you plan to be outside on a sunny winter day. This includes using a hat, preferably wide brimmed, whenever possible.
2. Protect your eyes from glare – Long hours on the snow without adequate eye protection also can result in a short-term condition known as photokeratitis, also known as ‘snow blindness’—which can cause temporary loss of vision. When buying sunglasses, look for a label that specifically offers 99-100% UV protection, and sunglasses that wrap around to protect from light coming in the sides. This assures that the glasses screen as much radiation as possible.
3. Use sunscreen seriously – Sunscreen should be considered essential winter gear and should be taken with you wherever you go. Check product labels to make sure you get sunscreen that is “broad spectrum” with an SPF of 30 or more.
4. Apply sunscreen properly – Apply early (15-30 minutes before heading outside), often (reapply every two hours) and liberally (don’t forget your nose, ears, neck, and face). Be sure to use lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher on your lips.