Camping Tents - Campers are Urged to Stay Safe under the Sun

Numerous studies on UV rays warn campers about the dangers of excessive and constant exposure to sun. Because camping is an outdoor activity, campers can’t help but spend most of their time being exposed to sunlight. This makes them prone to the harmful effects of UV rays such as sunburn, skin damage, cataracts, skin cancer and heat stroke.

Fortunately, there are safety precautions that campers can take to minimize risks and avoid these hazards. One of these is to apply sunscreen on the skin. It is important for a camper to check on the sunscreen’s SPF or sun protection factor to be able to use one that is right for him or her.

The common misconception is that an SPF number signifies the strength of protection but in reality, it tells how long you will be protected against the sun. The formula for this is to multiply the length of minutes that you burn under sun exposure to the SPF number and the product will be the amount of time you’ll be protected. For example, if you burn in 15 minutes, an SPF 30 will protect you for 450 minutes. By knowing this, you’ll have an idea on how often you should reapply your sunscreen.

In choosing a sunscreen, you must select one that has protection from both UVA and UVB rays. It’s also recommended to opt for water-resistant sunscreen to keep you protected even when swimming.

Keisha Peters, 23, an avid lover of camping trips, never fails to bring a sunscreen to any of her trips. She shared some tips on applying sunscreen. “You should begin applying sunscreen at least a half hour before going out because it takes about 20 minutes for it to become effective. Be sure to generously apply on all parts of your body without missing a spot. Never use expired sunscreen,” Peters said.

Aside from sunscreen, what you wear is also a good protection from the heat of the sun. A wide-brimmed hat can cover up your face and light layers of clothing are ideal because they reflect heat instead of absorb it. Sunglasses especially those that have UV block can come handy and can help prevent cataracts.

“If I buy sunglasses that do not UV protection, I make sure I go to my optometrist and have her put UV block on it,” Lara Griffin, 18, related.

Now, if it gets too hot, it’s a good idea to stay inside your camping tent for a while until the heat subsides. Keeping yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also important during a sunny day.

And because it’s still likely that you can get a sunburn even in a cloudy day, practice all these tips even when the sun is not visible. While you can never run away from the sun, with these simple tips you can stay safe and enjoy a wonderful camping trip.