- Natalie Hennessey
Do you check the UV Index?

Do you check the UV index?
Fun story: The summer between high school and university (2010) I worked a student job for the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society. I learned all about sun safety and sun awareness and was tasked with travelling the Island to share this with as many people as possible.
One of the first things that I learned was the UV Index.
The UV Index is a reading of how much of the sunโs rays actually reach the surface of the Earth. For example, if you are in a more southern area of the world, the UV index is going to be higher than those locations that sit more northern. The UV index can range from 1 (low) - 14 (extreme).
When the UV index is 3 or higher, skin protection (SPF) and coverage is incredibly important. This is when you want to find shade, avoid being in direct sun between 10am and 3 pm and cover yourself as much as possible (no teeny weeny polka dot bikinis ๐allowed!)
If you have an apple watch โ๏ธ, this information will be available in the weather app.
Radio weather reports often list UV index if it will be 2 or higher for the day, and if all else fails Environment Canada will have the listing and information you need!