The Best Texas BBQ | 5 Ways To Make Your Backyard Sun-Safe!
With summer on its way, it brings beautiful warm weather with it. Swimming pools, time on the trampoline, and outdoor BBQ’s are a must as we enter the infamous grilling season. All these activities, especially grilling, take place outdoors, which means that you need to be prepared for exposure to the sun. It is extremely powerful, constantly shedding UV rays down upon us, and this can leave you vulnerable to an array of skin issues including skin cancer.
We took a moment to think about how it is hard to ask you to completely stop going outside, especially with holidays like Memorial Day approaching. “No one likes to be told ‘NO!’, especially when missing out on something fun like going into the backyard to fire up the grill,” agrees Dr. Adam Mamelak, a board certified Dermatologist in Austin, TX. “So we aren’t asking you to stop going outside, just to make a few adjustments to help keep your outdoor Memorial Day celebrations sun-safe!”
1. Sunscreen
You’ve heard it plenty of times, “Don’t forget to put on your sunscreen!” And we are sticking to the proclamation! We also want to up the ante by telling you to reapply sunscreen every hour or two to make sure that you are getting consistent coverage from UV rays. The FDA recently changed regulations on sunscreen labeling, discrediting previous lotions that stated they were waterproof. “There is no way for sunscreen to be 100% waterproof, so the labels now state water-resistant and often list a time for reapplication. You should reapply about every 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how active you are or if in contact with water,” notes Dr. Adam Mamelak, a board certified Dermatologist in Austin, TX. “This simple step can make a world of difference in preventing sun burn and skin cancer.”
2. Hats
The ladies at the Kentucky Derby have it right when they wear their wide-brimmed hats that shade their faces. The face is home to sensitive skin, and is the closest exposed part of your body to the sun. This leaves the face and neck extra vulnerable to sun damage and sun burn. The simple use of a stylish wide brimmed hat or baseball cap can give a great amount of shade face and upper body while you and your family enjoy a nice day grilling outside.
3. Umbrellas
We are all guilty of stopping in the outdoor furniture department of a department store and enjoying the chic ambiance of the lawn chairs and umbrella, so why not take the initiative to invest in those beautiful UV shields? This will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors from the cool comfortable shade, and allow you the opportunity to stay outside longer, as well as a place to enjoy your freshly grilled meal.
4. Plant A Tree or Two
Few things can make a backyard look better than tall, full trees. These are not only ornamental, but also great for the environment and allow for fantastic shade. Dual purposed is always a great way to go when spending money to ensure that your home is beautiful and safe from sun. “I like to stay as green as possible, and I have toyed with the idea of planting a few larger trees in my backyard,” states Dr. Miriam Hanson, a board certified Dermatologist in Austin, TX. “This is a safer way for my family to enjoy our backyard without worrying about damaging our skin.”
5. Patios
Creating an extended covered patio similar to this alumawood pergolas here is something that most home-owners consider after living in a house for some time. Spring is a great time to take advantage of this, as the summer will offer a heavy shower of UV rays and having the extended porch allows a break from the heat, and a place for a beautiful outdoor meal.
There are countless ways for you to make simple changes than can help keep your body and skin safe, and we hope you keep that in mind as you enjoy the beautiful weather and your beautiful backyard barbecue!
