July is UV Safety Month

This July when you are outside barbecuing, hiking in the great outdoors or lounging in the backyard make sure to remember to protect yourself from UV rays. UVA and UVB rays are a part of everyday life. You’ve likely heard of UV rays, and may have bought sunscreen and sunglasses to block them out. In fact, up to one-fifth of cataracts are caused by UV rays. But do you know just what they are?

July is UV Safety Month, so now is the time to get up to speed and to help your patients understand the dangers associated with these rays.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are produced by the sun and by some artificial sources like black lights and tanning beds. There is one type of electromagnetic radiation along a spectrum that includes radio waves, x-rays, and visible light. Overexposure causes suntans, sunburns, skin cancer, and are a contributing factor in the development of cataracts. Find out ways to protect yourself.

4 Ways to Protect Against UV Rays

1. Know the Difference between UVA, UVB, and UVC Rays

UV rays are broken down into three main types:
UVA: These rays cause wrinkles and are thought to contribute to skin cancer. Tanning beds emit large doses of UVA rays.
UVB: These are the rays that cause the most damage to your skin’s DNA and are the main cause of most skin cancers.
UVC: These are effectively filtered out by the ozone layer and are a non-issue.

2. Sunglasses Offer Stylish Eye Protection

Since UV rays have a massive impact on the development of cataracts, it is important to protect your eyes. Sunglasses are the perfect accessory: fashion and protection for your eyes! Wearing sunglasses can greatly reduce or eliminate the amount of UV rays that harmenter your eyes, as long as you pick proper sunglasses. Ensure the lenses block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

If possible, pick sunglasses that fit close to your eyes or even wraparound to block the UV rays that attack your eyes from the sides.

Designer sunglasses offer great UV protection while looking stylish. In fact, all FYSH sunwear blocks 400% of UV rays! The summer collection offers fashion trends in eyewear this season with styles F-2027, F-2028 and F-2022, or show off your confident, individual and free personality with style F-2024.

3. Sunscreen Is Your Friend

Throughout your life, wearing sunscreen and proper eyewear is incredibly important to your  overall health.

While sunscreen should be the first thing you pack when planning a day outside, it is easily forgotten when gardening, running errands, or walking the dog. Keep a bottle by the door to ensure you never forget to include it in your routine as you leave the house: shoes, keys, water, and sunscreen.

Even if you are wearing full coverage clothing, sunscreen on the face and around the eyes can protect you from developing cataracts.

When buying sunscreen, ensure that the brand is reputable and the manufacture date is recent (sunscreen becomes less effective over time). We also suggest choosing a cream rather than a spray, as the mist can get in your eyes and over-spraying creates a great deal of waste.

4. Pack a Hat: Fashionable & Functional

Hats are a necessity to any fun time in the sun! Some hats are little more than a fashion accessory, so chose wisely. Wide-brimmed hats are not only high fashion – they also provide wonderful UV protection!

What to Look For When Choosing a Sun Hat:

• A 3-inch brim to protect the face and ears when the sun is high in the sky. A 4-inch brim can protect you from the sun’s rays at lower angles in the morning and in the evening.
• Materials that offer UPF 50 or higher block 98% of the damaging UVA and UVB rays.
• Dark colors absorb more sunlight, allowing fewer UV rays to bounce off your hat and into your eyes.

Noteworthy Summer Celebrations

Canada Day

Canada Day, celebrates and remembers the day when the original three colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick united into a single dominion. Canada Day is usually marked with themed parties, barbecues, and fireworks. Canadians around the globe use Canada Day as a way to celebrate who they are as a nation and remember their shared past.

Canada Day offers an excellent opportunity to connect with your clients. Decorate your office with Canada Day paraphernalia (think lots of red and white, maple leaves and other iconic Canadian images). You might also consider hosting a barbecue for your clients. Typical Canada Day fare includes hotdogs and hamburgers, but you may also want to offer food steeped in Canadian culture, such as poutine or nanaimo bars.

Canada Day themed social media posts are also an excellent way to strengthen your relationships with your clients. Topics could include Canadian history,  trivia, themed quizzes, and Canada Day themed recipes.

(Download visual below to use on social media. Tag @Westgroupe when posting.)

Independence Day

Independence Day, simply referred to as “The Fourth of July”, is celebrated by Americans around the world. It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This document declared the original thirteen American colonies to be one nation, the United States of America, and formally severed their ties to Great Britain and the British Empire. As the name suggests the day is important because it marks the day the United States of America became a separate nation, and that independence is one of the cornerstones of American identity.

Independence Day is typically celebrated with fireworks, barbecues, parades, concerts and picnics. It also offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your clients. Consider decorating your office using red, white, and blue items as well as American flags. You also might consider hosting a barbecue for your clients, and featuring iconic American foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and apple pie. Cakes, cupcakes and other treats featuring the stars and stripes of the American flag, or its red, white, and blue colour scheme are also Independence Day staples.

Independence Day themed social media posts are also an excellent way to connect with your clients. American trivia, themed quizzes, and fun Independence Day themed recipes are some topics you might want to explore.

(Download visual below to use on social media. Tag @Westgroupe when posting.)

Curious about your summer style? Take our quiz to figure out which frame best describes you!