Reapply sunscreen frequently
to prevent burns.

Risks Are High

The sun is more intense these days due to a depleting ozone layer, and burning is something to contend with whenever you are outside.

In 1980, an American's risk of getting melanoma in a lifetime was one in 250. In 1999, it was one in 74.

Each year, 1 million Americans, of all ages and ethnic origins, get skin cancer. Nine of 10 skin cancers develop on exposed areas, such as the face, ears, forearms, and hands, reports the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Skin cancer's most deadly form, melanoma, kills close to one American every hour, or 8,000 people a year.

But these statistics don't mean you have to live like a monk. You can still read out on the deck and take the kids to the beach -- if you first take time to safeguard your skin.