Learn more fun facts on the UV Safety Month Video Page.
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UV Safety Month takes center stage every July, urging everyone to prioritize sun protection during peak outdoor activity. Learn essential tips for safeguarding your skin and eyes, understand the risks of UV exposure, and discover how to make sun safety a daily habit.
Want to sponsor UV Safety Month? Learn how
Expected UV Safety Month Deals
As UV Safety Month unfolds throughout July, expect a wave of awareness campaigns and special offers from brands committed to sun protection. While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that organizations like the Skin Cancer Foundation partner with brands like Coppertone and Neutrogena for educational initiatives and product discounts. Look for promotions on broad-spectrum sunscreens from brands such as Supergoop! and La Roche-Posay, as well as protective clothing from companies like Coolibar. Many retailers, including Target and Ulta Beauty, often highlight sun care essentials with special bundles and loyalty rewards. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July approaches.
Platform Guide for UV Safety Month
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #UVSafetyMonth. Share visual tips on applying sunscreen, showcasing stylish sun-protective clothing, or demonstrating proper shade techniques.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #UVSafetyMonth. Disseminate quick facts about UV index, retweet public health warnings, and share links to educational resources on skin cancer prevention.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #UVSafetyMonth. Host a live Q&A with a dermatologist, share family-friendly sun safety tips, or highlight community events promoting awareness.
UV Safety Month Hero
Dr. Stephen Katz
History of UV Safety Month
U.V. Safety Month is held during summer when most of us spend more time outside making the most of the warmer weather. The longer your exposure, however, the greater your risk of sun damage if you’re unprotected. The sun emits radiation in the form of Ultraviolet or U.V. light, which is classified into three types: U.V.A., U.V.B., and U.V.C. The ozone layer protects the Earth’s stratosphere and blocks the most damaging U.V.C. light, but U.V.B. and U.V.A. light pass through it. U.V.C. radiation can come from artificial sources such as sunlamps or tanning beds.
The Global Solar U.V. Index or U.V.I. describes the level of solar U.V. radiation at the Earth’s surface. The higher the index value, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes.
Radiation from U.V. light is invisible but is always present during the day even when you can’t see or feel the sun. These rays can be harmful to our skin and eyes. Aside from wrinkles and sunburn, exposure is associated with the development of skin cancer. Our eyes can be affected by cataracts, cornea damage, and vision loss if left unprotected in the long term.
The sun is at its peak between 10 am to four pm. Head indoors or under shade during these hours. If you stay outside longer for work or play, sunscreen with a high S.P.F. of at least 30, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and breathable clothing that covers you up can offer the most protection. U.V. rays can pass through clouds. They also reflect off surfaces like sand, snow, cement, and water. That’s why sun protection is important in any season, all year round.
UV Safety Month timeline
The U.V. index (U.V.I.), is developed in Canada in response to growing concerns about the potential increase of U.V. radiation that causes skin and eye damage.
The U.V.I. is adopted by the United States National Weather Service (N.W.S.) and Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) as well as the World Meteorological Organization (W.M.O.) and World Health Organization (WHO).
The U.V.I. is published as a result of a collaboration between the W.M.O., WHO, United Nations Environment Programme, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, and the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection.
The Global Solar U.V.I. is standardized.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology names July U.V. Safety Awareness month.
How Businesses Can Celebrate UV Safety Month
Local businesses can champion UV Safety Month by integrating sun protection into their services and offerings. Pharmacies and beauty stores can create prominent displays for sunscreens, hats, and sunglasses, perhaps offering discounts on high-SPF products. Outdoor recreation companies can provide educational materials on safe sun practices and ensure shaded areas for customers. Restaurants with outdoor seating can promote shaded dining options and offer complimentary sunscreen samples. Even fitness studios can remind clients about sun protection for outdoor workouts, reinforcing the message that sun safety is crucial for everyone.
UV Safety Month FAQs
When is UV Safety Month?
In 2027, UV Safety Month is observed throughout July, providing a sustained focus on protecting skin and eyes from harmful UV rays. This annual observance is vital for promoting preventative measures against sun damage.
How prevalent is skin cancer in the U.S.?
Each year, more than 5 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in over 3 million people in the U.S. This staggering statistic underscores the ongoing importance of UV Safety Month in promoting preventative care.
What are the common myths about sun protection?
Many people mistakenly think that wearing a hat is enough protection, or that sun exposure is only dangerous on sunny days. In reality, UV rays can penetrate clouds and reflect off surfaces like water and snow, requiring year-round vigilance.
Is the UV index reliable for daily sun safety?
The UV Index provides a daily forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to UV radiation, ranging from 0 (low) to 11+ (extreme). Checking it regularly is an excellent way to gauge necessary precautions, such as seeking shade or wearing protective clothing.
How to Observe UV Safety Month
Head to the water
Beat the heat with a dip in the pool or a swim in the ocean. An impromptu garden hose shower can be delightful. Just be sure to avoid the sun during peak hours and reapply sunscreen afterward if you’ll be spending more time outdoors.
Wear a fun hat
Sun protection and fashion can go hand in hand. Play with colors, prints, and unexpected shapes. Choose one with a wide, all-around brim for the best coverage.
Propose a toast
Remember kicking back with a drink in hand and the breeze in your hair we mentioned earlier? Do it, but in the shade of course! Gather your friends, some drinks (non-alcoholic or otherwise, they all count), and raise a glass to congratulate yourselves on enjoying the summer sun sensibly.
5 Things To Know To Stay Sun Safe
S.P.F. stands for Sun Protection Factor
The SPF number tells you how long the sun’s U.V. rays would take to darken your skin versus the amount of time without any sunscreen.
Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen
This means it can protect you from both U.V.A. rays that cause sunburn and U.V.B. rays that cause skin damage like skin aging.
Not all sunglasses are created equal
Wrap-around or oversized styles offer more protection but make sure they block 99% to 100% of U.V. rays.
U.P.F. clothing can be expensive
Clothes labeled with Ultraviolet Protection Factor or U.P.F. provide a level of certainty but common fabrics like cotton and denim that cover most of your body can offer some protection as well.
Some clothing colors can provide U.V. protection
Darker and more vivid colors absorb more UV than pale colors, making them less likely to reach your skin.
Why UV Safety Month is Important
It reminds us that unprotected sun exposure can also affect our eyes
We immediately associate skin cancer as a negative effect of excessive sun exposure, but our eyes can suffer damage too.
It helps us to be mindful of something we take for granted
The sun has been our planet’s source of energy since time began. It brings us light but it can also cause serious harm if we don’t protect ourselves.
It highlights that sun protection is important all year round
Summer is not the only time we need sunscreen or sunglasses. We need to protect our skin and eyes from sun damage every day of the year.
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