UV Report: Be Extra Careful When

Be Extra Careful When

• At the beach
• In spring and summer
• In the middle of the day
• On snow-covered surfaces
• On holidays

  — Winter sun vacations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and other tropical destinations bring you closer to the equator, where UV is stronger. Wintertime UV in the tropics can be as strong as UV in Canada in July. On vacation you'll also likely wear fewer clothes and visit the beach where UV reflects off the sand.

  — Skiing and other outdoor winter fun can also increase your exposure to UV. Reflection off fresh snow nearly doubles UV, and, if you are skiing in the mountains, you will receive more UV due to the elevation. Likewise, activities such as mountain biking or hiking in the mountains will also expose you to more UV rays because of elevation.

Information Courtesy of Environment Canada

Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2004