Many Iowans are embracing the outdoors this springtime to break up the monotony of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the American Cancer Society urges people not to neglect other hazards to their health during such activities.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which is the most common cancer in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are three common types, which are typically caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, that can penetrate and damage skin cells. American Cancer Society Senior Community Development Manager Kim Durst offers a phrase to remember how to best prevent sunburns and skin damage this time of year: Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap, “Slip on a shirt, have your skin covered with some light material over your shoulders and arms. Slop on sunscreen: 30 SPF or greater will help protect you and make sure that you continue to reapply when you are exercising or you’re in the water. Slap on a hat to protect your face, you know you have sunscreen on but a hat will also give additional protection. And wrap on some sunglasses you know just to protect your eyes from the UV rays.”

Durst also advises that even if the weather is cool and cloudy, it’s still necessary to wear sunscreen and other protection if you’re spending an extended amount of time outside. It’s UV rays, not temperature, that do the damage.