Playing it safe in the sun is always fun.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department is working with three local pools to educate kids and teens regarding the harmful effects of the suns’ UV Rays. The program called “Pool Cool” was developed to encourage positive sun-safety practices among children five to ten year’s of age, their families, and the swimming pools’ staff. Pool Cool is sponsored by the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, in partnership the National Recreation and Park Association. It is funded by the National Cancer Institute.

The three pools that are participating in Pool Cool are Palisade, Beaver City, and McCook public pools. Among other materials, all three pools are provided with signage reminding pool users to apply sunscreen, sun screen with dispenser, and a Leader’s Guide that contains eight Pool Cool Sun-Safety Lessons for swimming instructors to teach in conjunction with swimming lessons.

        The Slip-Slop-Slap method is also encouraged.

• Slip on a shirt to protect skin with clothing.
• Slop on sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.
• Slap on a hat with a wide brim, protecting the ears, neck and face from the suns’ rays.

SWNPHD will visit each pool to demonstrate the skin scope to the pool staff. The skin scope allows people to view their skin damage that has already occurred. SWNPHD will also assist children with making UV bead bracelets. The UV beads change colors when exposed the UV rays.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Melanoma, which is the most severe form of skin cancer, kills approximately 7,500 Americans every year. UV radiation from sun exposure is a major cause of skin cancer and children receive 3 times more UV radiation than adults do each year. Sun exposure during childhood accounts for almost 80% of a person’s life time sun exposure.