Use sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. The Centers for Disease Control advises that ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. The American Cancer Society states that ultraviolet rays can damage the DNA in skin cells and can lead to melanoma, skin cancer.

Washington County Public Health Administrator Danielle Pettit-Majewski says it’s important for everyone, especially kids to put on sunscreen before going outdoors. She recommends you gather all of your kids up and slather them with sunscreen lotion, “If you are getting those deep blistering burns, even as a child, that can more than double your risk for having melanoma as an adult. So we really want to protect our kids, because I know, you know, they want to run out and go play, they want to hit the pool, but we’ve got to gather and slather. Make sure we grab them before they go out the door, cover them with sunscreen, because that will reduce their risk for cancer later in life.” She recommends putting on sunscreen with an SPF between 15 and 55 about 15 minutes before going outdoors so your skin has time to absorb it. Remember to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours as you enjoy the outdoors.