Summer is knocking on the door, which for many folks means picnics and swimming and gardening and other outdoor activities.

Summer also means sun. Lots and lots of sun.

Ashley Svaty, a family and consumer sciences specialist at K-State’s Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby, said it’s “critically important that we think about protecting our skin’s health.”

“There is a statistic (from the American Academy of Dermatology) that it only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma,” Svaty said. “So even when we’re younger, we have to be mindful of the sun’s rays, and as adults, we have to be role models and help protect those kids and babies.”

Researchers say that a little sun is good for the body and mind: 20 minutes of sunshine helps in producing vitamin D, supports bone health, relieves blood pressure and promotes good mental health.

But too much sun can lead to longer-term, negative health effects.

“We need to protect ourselves when outside,” Svaty said. “I understand if we work in a field, or those that have outdoor jobs. Seek shade as much as you can, but if you can’t find shade, wear a white brim hat and sunglasses to protect those eyes, and wear UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) protective clothing.”

Another common term associated with sunscreen for the skin – SPF – stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens are sold with varying levels of SPF, but Svaty said the level that one buys – as long as it is 30 SPF or higher – is less important than routinely re-applying protection every two hours while outdoors.

“The big thing to remember is that you can get as high of an SPF as you want, but remembering to re-apply that every two hours is critically important,” Svaty said. “The majority of people don’t put enough sunscreen on the first time, and then they don’t re-apply later. SPF 30 or higher is fine, but remember to re-apply every two hours.”

Svaty noted a few extra things to keep in mind:

• The type of sunscreen one uses – spray, lotion or other – doesn’t matter. It’s a personal preference.
• Cover as much skin as possible when outside. SPF clothing is one good way to do this, while remaining comfortable.
• Use sunscreen all year round. The sun’s reflection off snow in the winter can be equally damaging to skin.
• Remember vulnerable spots when applying sunscreen, touch as top of head, tips of ears and back of neck.
• Discard expired sunscreen and keep a fresh tube year-round.

More information on sun protection is available online from the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society, or speak to a board certified dermatologist.

Education officials estimate that every day in Kansas, about 1,000 drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus as it picks up or drops off children.

“When a student gets on or off the bus that, we consider that the most dangerous time,” said Keith Dreiling, the bus safety director at the Kansas State Department of Education. “Because if they’re on the bus, they’re protected inside the bus, but as soon as they exit the bus, this is when we’re going to have issues.”

But with the Legislature not acting on a proposal to help law enforcement crack down on violators of the state stop arm law, the Kansas State Board of Education is pursuing a regulatory change in an attempt to make it safer when loading and unloading a bus.

Legislator: House speaker canceled hearing on a school bus safety bill

In September 2020, 7-year-old Cecilia Graf was killed on her way to school in Abilene. The Dickinson County sheriff said Graf was crossing the street to board her bus, which was stopped with lights flashing, when a 15-year-old high school student hit the girl.

A veterinary service in Reno County is reporting another case of rabies.

On Friday afternoon, Ninnescah Veterinary Service LLC, 13408 S. Mohawk Road, Hutchinson, shared on social media they had just diagnosed a positive case of rabies in a farm cat.

A previous case in December resulted in a human being bitten.

The clinic said it was a similar scenario to the December case, except with no humans in danger this time.

“One of eighteen farm cats started attacking her kittens and acting strange,” the clinic said. “Rabies is a fatal disease in both humans and animals. Please get your animals vaccinated for rabies.”

The clinic said the two cases are unrelated.

“We have rabies vaccination clinics once a week in a different town for the month of April all in an attempt to get as many animals vaccinated as possible,” the clinic said. “Rabies vaccine has been proven to be very successful at preventing the disease.”