You should practice sun safety all year. This will protect your from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The information below will help you lower your risk of UV exposure from the sun or indoor tanning beds.
Order sun safety resources online
The dangers of tanning
There is no safe way to get a tan. Tanned skin is a sign of damaged skin.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
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The sun gives off an invisible light called UV radiation. Lamps in tanning beds or sun lamps also give off UV radiation. UV rays can damage the skin during any season or temperature.
UV rays reflect off:
- Water
- Sand
- Cement
- Snow
- Other surfaces
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Tanning and skin cancer
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Too much UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds is the main cause of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ontario. UV radiation from tanning beds can be five times stronger than the mid-day summer sun.
Tanning beds increase your risk of skin cancer. It causes premature skin aging and eye damage. The World Health Organization (WHO) puts tanning beds in its highest risk category for cancer, along with tobacco and asbestos. Using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
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Tanning bed use among youth
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A 2012 IPSOS survey found that tanning bed use is increasing in students in grades 7 to 12 in Ontario. This survey also found that:
- More than 20 per cent of grade 12 students use tanning beds.
- Twenty-four per cent of youth who use tanning beds said that their parents introduced them to tanning beds.
- More than half of youth who use tanning beds said that their parents paid for their tanning bed use.
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Ontario's Skin Cancer Prevention Act
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In Ontario, sale, marketing and advertising of artificial tanning services to youth under 18 years of age is prohibited. The Skin Cancer Prevention Act protects young people from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds. Using a tanning bed is particularly dangerous for young people. Using tanning beds before age 35 can increase a person’s risk of melanoma by 75 per cent (CDC, 2013).
The Act:
- Bans youth under 18 from using tanning beds.
- Bans the advertising and marketing of tanning services to youth under 18.
- Requires tanning bed operators to request identification from anyone who appears under 25 years old.
- Requires tanning bed operators to post signs about the bans and health risks of tanning bed use.
- Requires tanning bed operators provide protective eyewear.
- Requires tanning bed operators provide written notice of their location and business contact information to their local health units.
- Authorizes inspectors to inspect and enforce these requirements.
- Sets fines for tanning bed operators who do not comply.
For more information about how the Ontario's Skin Cancer Prevention Act affects your business, call the Durham Health Connection Line.
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Additional resources on tanning beds and skin cancer prevention |
Health Canada information on tanning beds and lamps
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How to stay sun safe
Sun protection
Use these sun safety tips to help you stay safe in the sun.
Check the UV index
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Check the UV index to find out how strong the sun is. The UV index ranges from zero to eleven or higher. You need more protection when the number is higher. This is because the sun is stronger.
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Limit time in the sun
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The sun is strongest between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan your outdoor activities before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Do this to avoid the sun's strongest rays. Keep babies less than one year old out of direct sunlight.
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Seek shade
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Shade can lower your exposure to UV radiation by 75 per cent. Shade can also help to:
- Reduce energy costs.
- Provide comfort outdoors.
- Reduce air pollution.
- Increase property value.
Seek shade under:
- Trees
- Arbors or gazebos
- Porches
- Umbrellas
- Portable shelters or canopies
If you do not have shade, create your own using these four shade planning tips:
- Think about where and when your outdoor activities will happen.
- Check out the amount of shade you already have.
- Decide where you need more shade.
- Make a plan.
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Wear UV-protective clothing
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You can wear clothing to protect yourself from the sun. This includes:
- A wide-brimmed hat that covers your head, neck and ears.
- Light-coloured and breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- UV 400 or 100 per cent UV protective sunglasses that wrap around to protect your eyes.
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Use sunscreen
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Protect your skin from UV rays with proper sunscreen use all year:
- Use a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30 or more.
- Re-apply sunscreen as needed or after swimming, sweating or toweling.
- Do not use sunscreen on babies less than six-months old.
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Related links
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Sun safety at school and work
You can use these sun safety tips to help you stay safe at school and in the workplace.
Schools and child care facilities
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Schools can help prevent skin cancer by teaching children healthy sun-safe attitudes and behaviours.
Order sun safety resources online
Child care facilities
We have sun safety resources for child care facilities to use to teach children sun safety behaviours and promote a sun-safe environment in your facility.
Sun safety resources for child care facilities
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Work |
Both employees and employers can use these sun safety tips and resources.
Employers |
Ensure your workplace practices sun safety. Work to reduce the risk of UV exposure. Do this by having programs in place to address sun safety. We can help you develop a plan. Use a comprehensive workplace approach to make your message effective. Include some of these health promotion activities in your plan:
Awareness raising
- Put sun safety messages in workplace bulletin boards, newsletters, or intranet.
- Promote a sun safety contest, draw or quiz.
Education and skill building
- Plan activities with your public health nurse.
- Provide a presentation or a lunch and learn about sun safety.
- Promote or offer education or skill-building sessions from community agencies.
- Promote advice lines such as the Health Department's Durham Health Connection Line.
Environmental support
- Move jobs indoors or to a shaded area.
- Schedule indoor work for peak sun hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Rotate workers during peak sun hours to reduce sun exposure.
- Provide a sun shelter for outdoor workers.
Healthy policies
You should:
- Develop a sun safety policy or guidelines.
- Promote your workplace sun safety policy to employees.
- Make your workplace sun safety policy accessible to employees.
Call the Durham Health Connection Line to speak with a public health nurse.
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Employees |
When you work outdoors, you have more exposure to UV radiation. This is the main cause of skin cancer.
Follow general sun safety tips to reduce your risk as well as:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Wear a hat or attach a neck flap to hard hats to protect skin from the sun.
- Use safety glasses or visors with 100 per cent UV protection.
- Follow your workplace sun safety policy.
Workplace sun safety resources
Request a Health Department display
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