Sunlight can enhance your body’s vitamin D production, boost your mood, regulate your immune system and lower blood pressure, among other benefits. But prolonged exposure to sunlight can be harmful, causing painful sunburns and increasing your risk of skin cancer. Such risks are greatest in summer when the sun is higher in the sky and ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are at their peak.

The long and warm days of summer can be fun and exciting, but while these conditions may be enjoyable, they can also be hazardous to your health. Prolonged exposure to the sun can have a particularly dangerous impact on both your short- and long-term health, including damaged skin, sunburn and skin cancer. Given these potentially severe consequences, it’s necessary to understand basic precautions while out in the sun.