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 Most people know the sun’s rays are bad for our skin. But did you know they’re just as bad for our eyes?  Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Some of the sun’s effects on the eyes include:  Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that can blur vision. An estimated 20% of cases are caused by extended UV exposure.  Macular degeneration, resulting from damage to the retina that destroys central vision. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.  Pterygium, a tissue growth over the white part of the surface of the eye that can alter the curve of the eyeball, causing astigmatism.  When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your vision sharp and eyes healthy. A wide-brimmed hat offers great protection, too! 

The risk of developing skin cancer will be substantially reduced for children who learn to “Block the sun, not the fun!”  Sun Safety for Kids is dedicated to reducing the incidence of skin cancer through teaching and promoting sun protection to children.  During the hour, while you are contemplating the subject of sun safety, one more American will die from skin cancer.  It remains the most common type of cancer in the United States despite being such a preventable disease.  Keep your children safe!  Encourage or require the use of Sun-protective hats, long clothing, sunscreen and UV-blocking sunglasses.  To complement more reliable methods of reducing skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (such as sun avoidance, clothing, and hats) sunscreen can be very useful.  However, limitations to the effectiveness of sunscreen include the following common user errors which are Failure to apply enough, uneven application / missed spots and Failure to re-apply.  Because some amount of UV radiation might pass by the sunscreen, unintentional sunburn can occur.  Think of these products as a back-up to other, more effective, and sun safety strategies.  The sun emits a broad spectrum of radiation that includes harmless visible light as well as ultraviolet radiation.  The bands of wavelengths that damage human skin are categorized as UVA and UVB.  UVB rays are the main cause of the skin turning red, or exhibiting a sunburn.  They can fracture the DNA in skin cells, resulting in mutations.  UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are the main cause of wrinkling, and discoloration.  They cause the formation of damaging atoms called free radicals, and can inhibit the immune system from doing its job to prevent cancer.  It is important to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB.  If, and only if a sunscreen effectively filters out UVA rays as well as UVB rays (which is highly desirable) it may be labeled "Broad Spectrum."  When shopping for sunscreen, always look for a product labeled "Broad Spectrum SPF" rather than simply "SPF."  Certain antioxidants can augment the broad-spectrum protection.  Look for a mention of antioxidants on the product label but unfortunately there is not yet any rating system to help you compare antioxidant effectiveness between products.  Probably the greatest drawback with sunscreen is that most people do not apply a sufficient dose.  The SPF number is determined by the manufacturer using a “standard” application amount (required by the FDA) of 2 milligrams of product per square centimeter of skin.  For the average adult in a bathing suit this would be a little more than one ounce, or approximately a shot glass full.  (That’s one quarter of the typical 4 oz. sunscreen bottle.)  When a person applies less than the “standard” amount, only a fraction of the labeled SPF will be achieved.  Studies have shown that the average person applies less than half the “standard” amount of sunscreen, which results in an SPF of only about one third of that labeled on the bottle.  Spray on sunscreens is particularly subject to under-dosing.  By contrast, if more than the “standard” amount is applied, the SPF achieved will exceed that labeled on the bottle.  UV causes some sunscreen ingredients to gradually deteriorate on the skin’s surface in response to sun exposure.  Sunscreen can also dissipate due to sweating, rubbing, and penetration into the skin.  To maintain maximum effect, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours.  A single application before coming to school cannot be expected to adequately protect a child for afternoon physical education.  These products must be applied liberally and, as with paint, two coats are better than one.  Thus, Sun Safety for Kids coined the phrase: “Put on a lot. And don’t miss a spot!”

Information brought to you by sunsafetyforkids.org 

 Look at these beautiful flowers!  These were my mother’s (Venice Meeks) flowers.  She absolutely loved them!  Her mother (Louise Dupree) had a green thumb for sure.  She had flowers in her yard, on her porch, in her house and in her little green house.  She enjoyed them so much.  Mother got her flowers from Pa’s Plants in Sumner.  She absolutely adored Mrs. Sherry and the wonderful workers there.  They were so helpful to her.  The flowers were always so beautiful!  She had them on the front porch, by the mailbox and on the walkway.  I saw her out there everyday checking on the flowers, giving them water and a little tender care.  She took such good care of them.  She watched the weather religiously in order to take care of her beauties.  If it was going to be chilly or cold, she had certain blankets that she covered them up with.  If it was going to be very windy, she brought them all to the front porch and tucked them in very well.  When I tell you she took care of those plants, she truly did.  Do you have flowers in your yard?  What is your favorite kind of flower?  I am not a flower in the yard kind of person, but I loved looking at mother’s and all of my friends that post them on Facebook. 

 This is the slogan the American Cancer Society uses as part of its campaign for skin cancer prevention. This slogan highlights the top four ways to prevent skin damage from the sun. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses to protect your eyes and sensitive skin around them. The society uses this simple message to promote prevention through media and educational activities.  Slip on a shirt!  Tightly woven long sleeves and long pants are really the best type of protective clothing to wear when you are going to be in the sun for long hours. However, most of us either choose not to wear it or would be uncomfortable in such garb on the beach, by the lake, or anywhere outside on a mid summer’s day. The CDC says a t-shirt or beach cover up will suffice, but just know that your run of the mill tee has an SPF rating lower than 15 so be sure to combine this preventative with others as well.  Slop on sunscreen!  Don’t be shy, slather and slop on a high-quality sunscreen with at least SPF 15 before you go out into the sun. Sunscreen should even be used on cloudy or overcast days. Be sure to cover your entire body, not just your face, and even parts covered with clothing or bathing suits. While this seems like an obvious tip, the CDC reports that fewer than 15% of men and fewer than 30% of women report regularly using sunscreen when outside for more than an hour. If you’re worried about the nasty chemicals and additives some sunscreen brands contain, check out the EWG’s 2016 Guide to Sunscreens (@ewg) list for the best and safest sunscreens on the market.  Slap on a hat!  The best advice here is to choose a tightly woven fabric, such as canvas, for your hat, with a brim that goes all the way around to protect not only your face, but your ears and back of your neck as well. Once again not the most practical, or for that matter stylish, tip when gallivanting on the beach. If you choose fashion over prevention with a cute straw number or a hip ball cap, be sure to make up for your poor decision by either covering the exposed areas with more clothing and/or sunscreen or by relaxing under a nice tree or fancy umbrella in the shade.  Wrap on sunglasses to protect your eyes and sensitive skin around them!  Finally, a tip that most of us don’t have to worry about because we do it regardless of safety. Wear shades! While this may seem completely straightforward, there are some requirements from the CDC on the type of glasses you wear but fortunately they are easy to meet and don’t get in the way of vanity. The CDC suggests sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays for the best protection and once again, jackpot, most sunglasses sold in the United States meet this requirement! Even better, for your sporty types, wraparound sunglasses provide the best protection because the harmful rays can’t sneak in the sides. So, whether you’re the Jackie O. type or Bono, rock those shades and protect yourself!  In addition to the prevention tips above, the ACS also recommends limiting the amount of time you spend in direct sun, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest. And finally, most skin cancers can be found early on with regular skin exams. It is important to check your skin once a month and you can find out the best way to do this by following the ACS’s step-by-step instructions. It is also important for your doctor to check your skin for irregularities. Regular skin exams are especially important for people who are at higher risk of skin cancer, such as people with reduced immunity, people who have had skin cancer before, and people with a strong family history of skin cancer. 

 One of the most frustrating problems that drivers face is poor lane courtesy — drivers blocking the left lane. The idea of slower moving traffic keeping right seems simple, but it is often forgotten. In order to promote this safe driving practice, the National Motorists Association (NMA) has designated June as Lane Courtesy Month. Better lane courtesy will improve traffic flow, prevent accidents, and can even save motorists money on gas.  The Summer Driving Season is upon us. People want to get out there and enjoy themselves. Lane Courtesy is a part of that for sure.  The NMA wants driving to be safer and more pleasurable for all motorists. That’s why we promote Lane Courtesy Month.  Ignoring the principle of lane courtesy increases congestion and frustration. The instances of tailgating, weaving in-and-out of traffic, and speed fluctuations increase — all of which reduce safety and waste fuel. When motorists yield the left lane, these situations diminish and accidents are avoided. Everyone benefits when driving is more efficient and enjoyable. Fuel conservation is a significant benefit of lane courtesy. Your vehicle consumes the most fuel when you are accelerating. It burns much less when you are able to achieve a consistent speed. Lane courtesy, when properly obeyed, promotes the smooth flow of traffic and helps drivers maintain an even pace. With gas prices at record highs, fuel economy improvements are doubly important.  Safety and gas savings are not the only reason motorists should yield the left lane; most states also have laws requiring them to do so. Government agencies spend billions of dollars to promote speed limit compliance, seatbelt usage, and construction zone safety, but little attention is paid to lane courtesy. The majority of motorists agree on the need for lane courtesy, so a small investment to promote it would be very worthwhile.  For more information concerning Lane Courtesy Month  contact the National Motorists Association at (608) 849-6000. 

 Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Although most lightning occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of year. Lightning kills an average of 49 people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured.  There are many tips to know about lightning safety.  There is NO PLACE outside that is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!  If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.  When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.  Stay in a safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.  Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.  Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.  Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.  Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.  If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:  Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.  Never lie flat on the ground, never shelter under an isolated tree, never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter, immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water and stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.).  Safety from lightning is talked about mostly during the summer months but please stay prepared anytime during the year. 

 It’s country cooking month and boy does that bring back some good ole memories!  I used to love to eat my granny Louise’s cooking along with my Granny and Papa Meeks’ cooking.  The homemade biscuits from my Granny Meeks and fried cornbread from my Granny Louise and the fresh veggies and fruits were to die for!  They beat fast food any day of the week.  When I was growing up, cooking and eating at home was what you did.  Going out to eat was a treat for sure.  My favorite foods they cooked was cream corn, my Papa Meeks’ macaroni and cheese, fried okra, squash, boiled potatoes, fried cornbread, biscuits and peach cobbler.  Those sure were the days! What were some of your favorite foods from your grandparents?   

 June is National Vegetable Month so why not focus on eating more veggies.  I know some people that like only vegetables.  I know some that like absolutely NO vegetables.  Which are you?  It is funny how picky people are.  For example, I love broccoli.  I love it raw or cooked however my 18 year old son will only eat broccoli raw.  He will dip it in ranch dressing but that is it.  He will eat it cooked but only mixed in rice.  Another veggie that I love is greens but I will not in any form or fashion eat turnips.  I will eat collard greens and mustard greens all day long but you will not catch this girl right here eating turnips.  See how picky people can be.  Well be sure to focus on veggies this month and maybe not be as picky as I am.  Don’t forget to go every Saturday to the Farmer’s Market and pick up all the vegetables that you will need or want.  Thank you to all the farmer’s for the hard work you do to provide such great fruits and veggies for our families! 

 Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In fact, more skin cancers are diagnosed in the US each year than all other cancers combined. The number of skin cancer cases has been going up over the past few decades.  The good news is that you can do a lot to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer, or catch it early so that it can be treated effectively. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most of this exposure comes from the sun, but some may come from man-made sources, such as indoor tanning beds and sun lamps.  You don’t need x-rays or blood tests to find skin cancer early – just your eyes and a mirror. If you have skin cancer, finding it early is the best way to make sure it can be treated with success.  What Is Skin Cancer?  Skin cancer starts in the cells of the skin. Some other types of cancer start in other parts of the body and can spread to the skin, but these are not skin cancers.  There are 3 main types of skin cancers: Basal cell skin cancers (basal cell carcinomas), Squamous cell skin cancers (squamous cell carcinomas) and Melanomas.  Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are by far the most common cancers of the skin. Both are found mainly on parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck. These cancers are strongly related to a person’s sun exposure.  Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are by far the most common cancers of the skin. Both are found mainly on parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck. These cancers are strongly related to a person’s sun exposure.  Basal and squamous cell cancers are much less likely than melanomas to spread to other parts of the body and become life threatening. Still, it’s important to find and treat them early.  If left alone, they can grow larger and invade nearby tissues and organs, causing scarring, deformity, or even loss of function in some parts of the body. Some of these cancers (especially squamous cell cancers) can spread if not treated, and can sometimes even be fatal.  These cancers are discussed in more detail in Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer.  Melanomas are cancers that develop from melanocytes, the cells that make the brown pigment that gives skin its color. Melanocytes can also form benign (non-cancerous) growths called moles. (Your doctor might call the mole a nevus.)  Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body, but are more likely to start in certain areas. The trunk (chest and back) is the most common place in men. In women, the legs are the most common site. The neck and face are other common places for melanoma to start. Melanomas are not as common as basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, but they can be far more serious. Like basal cell and squamous cell cancers, melanoma can almost always be cured in its early stages. But if left alone, melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body, where it can be very hard to treat. There are many other types of skin cancers as well, but they are much less common: Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, Cutaneous (skin) lymphoma and Skin adnexal tumors (tumors that start in hair follicles or sweat and oil glands).  Together, these types account for less than 1% of all skin cancers.  It’s important for doctors to tell the types of skin cancer apart, because they are treated differently. It’s also important for you to know what skin cancers look like. This can help you find them at the earliest possible stage, when they are easier to treat and most likely to be cured.  For more information like this, please follow cancer.org. 

 World Sickle Cell Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 in order to increase the awareness about sickle cell disease and its cure among the common public. It was celebrated for the first time on 19th of June in 2009. Sickle cell disease has become a common and foremost genetic disease worldwide which is a must to cure through the fast awareness campaign, curable activities, early diagnosis and management.  Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder. That means it’s passed down through families. You’re born with SCD. It is not something you catch or develop later in life.  The disease gets its name because when you have SCD, your red blood cells look like a sickle, which is a C-shaped farm tool.  Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. In a healthy person, hemoglobin is smooth, round, and flexible. That allows red blood cells to glide easily through your bloodstream. But if you have SCD, the hemoglobin’s shape is abnormal. It forms rods that clump together. That causes red blood cells to become rigid and curved. The odd-shaped cells block blood flow. It’s dangerous, and can cause extreme pain, anemia, and other symptoms.  About 100,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease. Most of them are African-Americans.  Please wear fuchsia/purple in support of Sickle Cell on June 19th. 

 The countdown is on to Father’s Day 2025. You have until Sunday, June 15th to come up with something memorable for dad.  I no longer have my daddy to buy and give a gift to, however I do shop with Cindy’s Flower Shop at special occasions and at times for no occasion at all to buy beautiful flower arrangements for the cemetery.  They help us to make things so beautiful and we appreciate that!  However if your daddy is here, then let us help you to find the coolest gift ever.  One idea is a “Lucky to have you as a Dad” basket.  You can fill this basket with lottery scratch off tickets.  They will love that!! And they just may win lots of money.  Another idea is a BBQ Grill Basket.  You can fix a basket full of spices, cookware, a cool apron and even a gift card to a great place to buy meat and let them enjoy grilling.  Need another idea?  I have just that!  How about a Fishing Basket?  Most men love to fish so what a cool basket to make.  You can fill it with a new rod and reel, some great lures, snacks to have while fishing, a cooler and even a cool fishing shirt.  I know plenty of guys that will like that!  These are just a few ideas of what you can get for your father.  While you are deciding what to get for him, please try and shop local.  There are so many places right here in Sylvester that will help you get that perfect gift together or you can even get a gift card.  Whatever you decide, I know they will love it.  The Martin News wishes all dad’s a Happy Father’s Day! 

It sounds scary: A child can seem fine after getting out of a pool or body of water but then start to have trouble breathing an hour -- or up to 24 hours -- later. You'll worry a whole lot less once you know the signs of submersion injuries, and how to prevent them.  Chances are you've read scary warning stories about "dry drowning" or "secondary drowning" -- terms you probably never even knew existed before you became a parent -- on social media. The idea that your child could "drown" on dry land is admittedly terrifying, and makes many parents feel helpless. But these rare incidents can be prevented. Get the facts you need to help keep your kids as safe as possible in and out of the water.  The terms "dry drowning" and "secondary drowning" (also called submersion injuries) are often used interchangeably -- even by some experts -- but they're actually different conditions.  In dry drowning, someone takes in a small amount of water through his or her nose and/or mouth, and it causes a spasm in the airway, causing it to close up. In secondary drowning, the little bit of water gets into the lungs and causes inflammation or swelling that makes it difficult or impossible for the body to transfer oxygen to carbon dioxide and vice versa. Dry drowning usually happens soon after exiting the water, but with secondary drowning, there can be a delay of up to 24 hours before the person shows signs of distress. Both can cause trouble breathing and, in worst-case scenarios, death.  Rest assured: Dry drowning and secondary drowning incidents, while incredibly scary, are rare and account for only about 1 to 2 percent of drowning incidents.  There are no specific stats on how many kids die each year from these types of submersion injuries, but it's very few in reports noted.  The good news is, dry drowning or secondary drowning (submersion injury) doesn't happen out of nowhere. No matter your child's age, be on the lookout for:  Water rescue.  Any child pulled from the pool needs medical attention at the very least, call your pediatrician.  Coughing. Persistent coughing or coughing associated with increased work of breathing needs to be evaluated.  Increased "work of breathing." Rapid shallow breathing, nostril flaring, or where you can see between the child's ribs or the gap above their collarbone when they breathe, means they're working harder to breathe than normal. This is a sign that you should seek medical help immediately.  Sleepiness. Your kid was just excitedly playing in the pool, and now she's fatigued? It could mean not enough oxygen is getting into her blood. Don't put her to bed until her doctor gives you the go-ahead.  Forgetfulness or change in behavior. Similarly, a dip in oxygen level could cause your child to feel sick or woozy.  Throwing up.  Vomiting is a sign of stress from the body as a result of the inflammation and sometimes a lack of oxygen, also from persistent coughing and gagging.  Any time you're concerned about your child and think he could have symptoms of dry or secondary drowning, whether you're in your backyard pool or on a beach vacation, call the pediatrician right away for advice. Your child's doctor should be able to talk you through it and might advise you to go to the ER, a primary care doctor, or a national urgent care center.  But if your child is really struggling to breathe, call 911 and/or head to the emergency room right away. Necessary treatment may not be available in settings other than the ER.  Treatment for submersion injury depends on the severity of the patient's symptoms. The doctor will check the child's vital signs, oxygen level, and work of breathing. Patients with more mild symptoms just need careful observation, in more serious cases, the doctor may also do a chest x-ray or give him oxygen. In cases of respiratory failure, or when a child can no longer breathe on their own, extra support is needed -- such as intubating or putting the child on a ventilator -- but that's very rare. The goal will be to increase blood flow in the lungs and get the child breathing well again.  Prevention is the same for dry drowning and secondary drowning as it is for any other kind of drowning:  Swim lessons. Kids who are comfortable and skilled at moving around in the water are less likely to go under and take in water. Around age 4 is a good time to start.  Supervision. Monitor kids closely in and around the water, and enforce pool safety rules.  Water safety measures. Children should wear floatation devices on boats; pools should have four-sided fencing around them; and you should never leave standing water where a child could get into it.  As long as you practice water safety, pay close attention to your kids after swimming, and get them checked out if you notice any signs of trouble breathing, you shouldn't have to constantly stress about dry drowning or secondary drowning.
 

Source: Parents.com