As you soak in the summer sun, make sure you have ample sun protection for park and recreation properties. While it’s fun to spend all day out in the park, you don’t want to get sunburned. It is thus vital to ensure your parks have ample shade structures to offer some respite from the hot summer sun.
Spending long durations out in the sun exposes you to harmful sun rays. According to various studies, UV rays damage your skin. It causes skin inflammation, sunburns, skin allergies, wrinkles, and in some instances, may even cause cancer.
Although this is a significant cause of concern, it doesn’t mean you should stop enjoying your summer. Today, there are many alternatives to provide sun protection for park and recreation properties. So, grab your shades and sunscreen and get ready to have some fun.
Here are eight sun safety tips to help you and your loved ones stay protected from harmful sun rays while you enjoy the summer out at the park.
Sunscreen is of utmost importance for protection from the harsh UV rays. Apply high-quality sunscreen that offers high SPF protection before you step out in the sun.
Sunscreens are the best way to protect your skin from the harmful and damaging sun rays. It helps you create a protective shield around your skin that doesn’t allow the harsh UVA and UVB rays to penetrate your skin’s surface. Thus, it is a simple way to safeguard your loved ones from the intense sun in the summers.
From trees and oversized umbrellas to tents and pergolas, there are many options to stay cool in the summer. You can get professional shade installation experts to put together customized shade structures based on your needs and the size of your park or recreation facilities.
Curtail the time you spend in the sun to a couple of hours at a stretch. Here’s a tip: whenever you need to reapply your sunscreen, that’s your cue to take a break from the sun. Step under one of the many shade structures in your park. The shaded area gives you time to enjoy the summer without being exposed to the sun for long periods.
Another great alternative is to step out in the early morning or late afternoon. The sun rays are most harmful during the day from 10 AM to 3 PM. This period is also the time when your skin is most vulnerable to UVA and UVB rays. Stepping out in the early mornings is beneficial since this is the best time to let your skin absorb vitamin D.
There are many cases of people having heat stroke when playing or bathing out in the sun. Hats are an inexpensive way of sun protection for park. In fact, many sports, courts, and structures have dress codes that include caps. Some common examples include tennis courts, swimming pools, and golf putting grounds.
Look for elastic and wide-brimmed hats that offer maximum protection and don’t blow away in the wind. Remember, when you apply sunscreen to your face and body, you leave your head vulnerable to the sun. Hats not only cover the top of your head but also offer additional protection to your face and neck. You can buy a hat that matches your style at a good discount from beach shops and department stores during the lean season.
Your eyes are susceptible to the sun. Excessive exposure can cause cataract and other eye problems. As you step out in the sun, make sure your eyes have adequate sun protection. Invest in glasses that offer maximum UVA and UVB protection. When buying sunglasses, opt for ones that wrap around your eyes to ensure your eyes stay protected from the sun rays.
Summer is the perfect time to don those loose fitting breezy shirts and summer dresses. Many kids and adults wear UPF protective shirts for sun protection for parks and recreation properties like parks or pools. Prefer a UPF 50+ shirt that blocks out more than 90% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Prefer thick clothing in darker colors. Although these may make you feel warmer than thin clothing in lighter colors, it lets in lesser sun rays. Remember to exercise caution when wearing dark heavy clothes so that you don’t get overheated.
Drink, drink, and drink! You need to drink as much water and liquids as possible. Staying hydrated is very important in the summers when your body is losing so much water in sweat. Always remember to stock many bottles of water in your bag.
Also, eat many foods rich in antioxidants that protect against the harmful sun rays. Fruits and leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants. You can also consume juices and green tea, loaded with antioxidants — as this helps to protect your skin.
Shiny reflective surfaces reflect almost 80 percent of the sun rays. This often increases the chances of exposure to the harsh UVA and UVB rays. Ask your park equipment provider to use minimal chrome and reflective substances for the multi-game courts and recreation equipment.
With all this in mind, you are set to have a fun and safe summer out in the sun. Remember, while there are many benefits of shade structures and park equipment that offer protection from the sun, it’s healthy to spend some time out in the sun.
So this summer, step out of those shade structures and let your skin absorb the essential Vitamin D for stronger bones and healthier you. But most importantly make sure you enjoy the summer.
Courts and Greens offers a wide variety of shade structures in different shapes, models, and sizes tailored to individual customer requirements and budgets. We are a leading park equipment provider and build multi-courts, indoor courts, synthetic artificial turf, putting grounds, and much more. Reach out to one of our representatives to learn more.