Sun for Holiday Weekend! Don’t Fry…Use Sunscreen

The long Bank Holiday weekend is almost here (Memorial Day holiday in the U.S.).  Traditionally hoards of travellers hit the roads to get away and spend it elsewhere.  Amazingly, this year Vitamin-D deprived Brits may be able to put the brollies away as the weather forecast looks good!

It’s not a long weekend there, but they get their share of sun all the time in Australia. Their ‘Slip Slop Slap Seek Slide ‘ campaign has been very successful in raising awareness about skin cancer.  Slip on a shirt – Slop on the sunscreen – Slap on a hat – Seek shade – Slide on some sunnies (sunglasses).  In this video Sid the Seagull gives us his SunSmart message from the Cancer Council:

Whether you are travelling away for the weekend or having a backyard barbecue, be careful if exposing your skin to the sun’s rays for the first time.  It’s easy to forget how quickly you can get a burn.  Also, be wary of that bottle of sunscreen you’ve had in the bathroom cabinet for year after year of sunless UK summers… Throw it away and buy a new supply!  Many sunscreens are not stamped with a ‘use by’ date, but their active ingredients are only good for about three years.  They also do not have a long shelf life, so buy sunscreen from a reputable shop, not the discount places.  If the lotion looks or smells odd – dump it.

In the United States, the National Council on Ski Cancer Prevention and the SunWise Program designated Friday, May 22, as ‘Don’t Fry Day.  The cases of skin cancer -  especially melanoma – continue to increase.  There are reports in the media at the moment that Michael Jackson has skin cancer.

According to the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) someone in the UK dies from skin cancer every four hours.  That’s a frightening statistic.  Their Sun Awareness Week is held during May each year. For more information visit the British Skin Foundation website, the Institute of Cancer Research (SAFE), and Cancer Research UK.

If you plan to pack the car and go on a road trip, don’t risk getting burnt for emergency services. Travel with peace of mind with Breakdown Cover.  Have a great weekend!