As an Australian who lives in the part of the world where the sun's rays are quite intense, I would like to refer to the popular slogan of Slip, Slop, Slap. 

• Slip on a shirt 

• Slop on the sunscreen

• Slap on a hat 

I wonder though, how many of us take notice? 

With the earth's ozone layer on the shrink, skin cancer rates on the rise, and scientists linking as many as 95 per cent of all skin cancers to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, the days of unprotected jaunts in God's given sunshine should be gone for good!!

• Ultraviolet A which is the main cause of ageing of the skin and skin cancer 

And 

• Ultraviolet B which causes sunburn and skin cancer. 

1.  The best time to avoid sun exposure is between the hours of 10am through to 3pm, as the sun's rays are doing more harm than good during this time.
2. Everyone should be using at least a sun protection factor of 30 plus. Remember that using a sun protection factor of 30 does not necessarily mean that you can stay in the sun for twice as long.
3. Make sure your sunscreen is in date. If it has reached it's expiry date, toss what is left in the bin as potency can be affected by age.
4. Apply the sunscreen thirty minutes before going out into the sun, since it takes that long to be absorbed into the skin. (However, if you cannot manage that, applying it right before you trot off into the sun is far better than not applying sunscreen at all.)
5. Spread the sunscreen generously onto all exposed skin, paying careful attention to the back of the neck - an area often overlooked.
6. Lips need sun protection too. Apply lip protection regularly and as a routine.
7. Pay special attention to your child in the heat. Children have a larger proportion of skin to body mass so severe burns can also cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
8. When the temperature soars, light coloured, light weight, loose - fitting clothing is the order of the day.
9. Reality states that if you venture into the midday sun in the summer peak time, most of us will burn in less than 15 minutes.
10. Beware of glare. Don't rely on the humble beach umbrella - it won't protect you adequately from the reflected glare of sun on sand. Wear sunglasses with a good U V rating or sunglasses approved by the Cancer Council. 
11. Drink lots and lots of water to protect yourself from dehydration.
12. Don't forget to protect your "crowning glory". Make sure you rinse your hair as soon as possible to rid it of salt, chlorine and other chemicals, as they are notorious for weakening and damaging hair

When all is said and done, remember, the best cure is prevention. 

Don't play Russian Roulette with your skin. 

Extreme sun exposure on a regular basis could leave you wondering when the gun will go off!