Sun Safety

Beach Safety

Each year during the warmer months (June – September), Public Health Inspectors perform a weekly beach safety assessment and water quality assessment at eight local public beaches. Water samples are tested for E. coli bacterial counts. For E. coli results, call our Beach Hotline at 519-258-2146 ext. 1490

Sun Safety

Sun safety refers to the measures a person can take to be safe while outdoors in the sun. Everyone can (and should) practice sun safety.

Resources & Information for:

Resources

  • Government of Canada - Sun safety basics: Find posters, safety tips for parents, and links to heat health concerns on this webpage.
  • Canadian Cancer Society- Be sun safe: Pointers on how to enjoy the sun safely.
    Tanning is Out: A 2:43 min video featuring youth providing no tan is a safe tan messaging. 
  • Canadian Dermatology Association- Sun Safe Play Everyday!: A short, video that highlights a young boy singing about ways to play safely in the sun.
  • WECHU- Sun Safety Factsheets: These are available for you to print or request copies from your Healthy School Nurse. The 6 topics covered are Sunscreen, Children, Outdoor Sports, and Recreation, Outdoor Workers, Sun Tanning/ Indoor Tanning, and Winter. All are available in English, French, and Arabic.
    • Enjoy the Sun Safely : A bilingual tri-folded brochure created to support key messages on sun safety.

Lesson and Activities

  • Student council or student wellness council to actively participate in identifying school needs and activities to address those needs.
  • School Mental Health Ontario-Inspirational graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or schoolyard to create sun safety messages. Contact your school’s nurse at 519-258-2146 x 1555 for sun safety resources that support key messages.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • School Wellness Bulletin Board- Use the school bulletin board to post sun safety messages.
  • May is the start of the warm weather and a good time to be reminded of the importance of sun safety. Learn how to properly do a skin check and make it a routine.
  • National Sun Awareness Month: takes place in May. Visit the Canadian Dermatology Association website to learn more about the theme and key messages that is being promoted this year.
  • Canadian Cancer Society- SunSense Certification: A certification process for elementary schools. This certification acknowledges schools that have created a sun safe environment to protect their students and staff. It is a comprehensive approach that engages the full school community (e.g., students, staff, and parents) to create a sun-safe culture. By registering for SunSense schools gain access to downloadable tools and resources and the ability to order materials such as UV bracelets, posters, and postcards. Schools can choose to use the online tracking tool to track the actions completed, and this would be used to determine if they are awarded a certificate. If gaining a certificate is not an interest, school staff can simply just access the resources and not bother with tracking.
  • Canadian Partnership Against Cancer- Solar UVR protection: Provincial and territorial sun safety policies in schools: Provides a policy pack (supportive documents to create a policy) to guide regional actions.

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

  • Health811: Health advice from registered nurses by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or by visiting their website.
  • Cancer Care Ontario- Melanoma My CancerIQ: Completing this short assessment gives you a personalized action plan that can be discussed with your health care provider.
  • TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant (French): Applications are accepted year-round for environmental education programs, including green spaces. Shade that is either structures or trees is important to have in schoolyards to protect children when they are outdoors.

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

  • Health811: Health advice from registered nurses by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or by visiting their website.
  • Cancer Care Ontario- Melanoma My CancerIQ: Completing this short assessment gives you a personalized action plan that can be discussed with your health care provider.
  • TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant (French): Applications are accepted year-round for environmental education programs, including green spaces. Shade that is either structures or trees is important to have in schoolyards to protect children when they are outdoors.
  • Student council or student wellness council to actively participate in identifying school needs and activities to address those needs.
  • School Mental Health Ontario-Inspirational graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or schoolyard to create sun safety messages. Contact your school’s nurse at 519-258-2146 x 1555 for sun safety resources that support key messages.

School Campaigns and Social Media

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

  • Health811: Health advice from registered nurses by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or by visiting their website.
  • Cancer Care Ontario- Melanoma My CancerIQ: Completing this short assessment gives you a personalized action plan that can be discussed with your health care provider.
  • TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant (French): Applications are accepted year-round for environmental education programs, including green spaces. Shade that is either structures or trees is important to have in schoolyards to protect children when they are outdoors.

Sun and Heat Safety in Windsor-Essex County

This report provides an overview of sun and heat safety in Windsor-Essex County using data from emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths (this data captures illnesses resulting from the direct effects of heat and sunlight). This report also uses data from the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System to provide a summary of sun safety behaviours and community support for shade in outdoor public places.

UV Index

The Ultraviolet Index (UV Index) is a measurement of the intensity of the sun’s rays. The higher the UV index, the more harm done by the sun to your skin, eyes, and immune system.

Sunscreen

The best way to protect yourself from damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation is to cover up, limit your exposure at key times, seek shade, and cover any unprotected areas of the skin with sunscreen.

Vitamin D

When your skin is exposed to the sun, it’s able to make vitamin D. Your body needs vitamin D to keep your bones, muscles and teeth healthy. Having the proper amount of Vitamin D is especially important for children and the elderly. However, overexposure to the sun and using a tanning bed increases your chance of developing skin cancer and is not recommended. It is important to develop and maintain good sun protective habits. There are safer ways to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels than through ultraviolet (UV) exposure.  

You can get vitamin D from: