With U. Arkansas students and staff soaking in the sun as the Fourth of July approaches, members of the UA community should take precautions to ensure a safe, fun summer, officials at Pat Walker Health Center said.

Though the summer months present many opportunities to unwind at the lake and catch a few rays, skin protection is one of the most pressing safety concerns members of the UA community face at this time of year, PWHC Director Mary Alice Serafini said.

While sun protection is a necessity year-round, ultraviolet rays are at their most dangerous in the continental United States during the early summer, according to the Center for Disease Control. Sun protection is a must between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during this time of year, as UV rays are strongest.

An important misconception is that sun protection is not necessary on cloudy or hazy days. According to the CDC, UV rays still affect the skin through clouds and haze, and even in the shade. Proper use of sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) as well as sunglasses and clothing to protect exposed skin will help mitigate the risk UV rays pose.

A known cause of skin cancer, UV rays are responsible for between 65 and 90 percent of melanomas, according to the CDC.

Another problem plaguing students during the leisurely summer months is alcohol safety. As students head to the lake or even to a friend’s house for a few drinks, moderation and due caution are a must when driving boats, cars or other motor vehicles, Serafini said.

In addition to the potential of harming anyone near an impaired boater, Arkansas laws prescribe fines, jail times and loss of boating privileges to anyone found to be boating while intoxicated (BWI). In Arkansas, operating a boat is considered implied consent to submit to a breath, blood or urine test.