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ABOUT THE SUNWISE PROGRAM
To promote sun-safe behavior at an early age, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the
SunWise Program, a free national environmental and health
education program for children. Through the use of
classroom, school, and community components, SunWise
promotes sun safety by teaching children and their
caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to
ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The program is designed for kindergarten through eighth-
grade learning levels. Any K-8 school can participate.
By joining EPA's SunWise Program, participants will have
access to useful tools to help teach sun-safe behaviors in
the classroom, such as:
The SunWise Tool Kit - providing a range of
cross-curncular lessons, activities, and background
information for K-8 children.
The SunWise Internet Learning Site
(www.epa.gov/sunwise) - an interactive medium with
web-based educational activities and resources.
Additional materials, puzzles, posters, and activities,
such as the "Mission SunWise" storybook and activity
book.
Register today to receive your free SunWise Tool Kit by
visiting www.epa.gov/sunwise.
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Welcome to the Sunwise Club," said Amy.
"Everybody, meet Carlos and Lisa. They're new to the neighborhood.
They want to join our club," said Kelly.
"They heard the SunWise Club has fun being sun safe," said Erin.
"We do have fun! We have secret missions and adventures. When we
finish a mission we get awesome rewards," said Brian.
"What's our secret mission for today?" asked Sam.
"Today our mission is to help Carlos and Lisa become SunWise.
When they're SunWise, we'll get our prize!" said Amy.
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Why should I be SunWise?" asked Lisa.
"The sun is a star," said Erin. "It does many good things that help
plants and animals on Earth."
"The sun gives light so we can see, it keeps us warm, and it helps
plants grow."
"Even though we need the sun, sometimes too much sunlight can be
bad for people."
"We must protect ourselves from special rays of the sun called
ULTRAVIOLET RAYS. Ultraviolet rays are also called UV RAYS."
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"That's right!" said Amy, "You can't see or feel UV rays, but
they are there, even on cloudy days. UV rays can hurt your
skin and eyes. It doesn't matter if your skin is light or dark,
UV rays can cause you harm."
"The sky has a built-in shield called the OZONE LAYER. The
ozone layer keeps most of the UV rays from reaching the earth.
It is like an umbrella that blocks the rain. The ozone layer
does not stop ALL the UV
rays from reaching you.
That's why it is important
that we protect ourselves
and be SunWise."
"UV rays are strongest in
the middle of the day.
It's a good idea to stay
out of the sun during
that time if you can -
ESPECIALLY if
you're not SunWise."
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«-^
OK," Carlos said, "Now I know WHY I need sun protection. But
what can I do to be SunWise? How can I protect myself from UV
rays?"
"It's easy!" said Kelly. You just need to remember to SLIP I SLOP I
SLAP 1 and WRAP 1 , ™ CHECK the UV Index!, and PLAY in the
SHADE I"
SLIP on a shirt. Wear
a long-sleeve shirt and
pants to cover as much
skin on your body as you
can," said Sam.
SLOP on a sunscreen
of at least SPF 15.
Spread it on your face,
arms, legs, and any other
skin that the sun's UV rays
can reach," said Brian.
Remember to reapply.
SLAP on the right
kind of hat. A good hat
will keep UV rays from
reaching your face, ears,
and back of your neck,"
said Brian.
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extreme
lowl--
WRAP on some
sunglasses. Sunglasses
protect your eyes,"
said Kelly.
"CHECK the uv
Index . We'll show you
how! The UV Index will
tell you how strong the
UV rays are," said Sam.
"And PLAY in the
SHADE. If you're in the
shade, you're protected
from some of the UV
rays," said Erin.
"For each SunWise Step you take, you earn a badge. If you earn
enough badges, you can join our club," said Kelly. "We'll help you!"
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UV Index
Index Number
Low
Before we go
outside, it's important
to check the UV Index,"
said Brian.
"What's the UV Index?" asked Lisa.
"The UV Index is a prediction of how
strong the UV rays will be. Just like we
can check to see if it is going to rain or
snow, we can check the forecast for UV
rays. The UV Index is reported on a scale
ofl-ll + . The higher the number, the
stronger the UV rays reaching Earth," said
Amy, "and the more sun protection we need."
"You can find the UV Index in many places.
It's in the weather section of the
newspaper and on TV and radio weather
reports. You can also find it on the
SunWise website at www.epa.gov/sunwise."
"You can earn a SunWise badge by CHECKING THE UV INDEX every
day," Brian added.
Exposure Level
Minimal
High
Very High
Extreme
The higher the UV
Index, the more
important it is
to be SunWise.
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"TT
flow's this?" Carlos asked. 'Is this SunWise?"
"That's OK," said Amy, "but THIS ONE is better."
Remember, cover as much skin as possible to be
SunWise. What other clothes are the most SunWise?
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" m
Time to SLOP on some sunscreen," said Kelly.
"Here's some! This is what my mom uses. What does this number
"15" mean?"asked Lisa.
"The numbers tell you how much protection that sunscreen will
give you. You should always use number 15 or higher. SLOPPING
on sunscreen will help protect your skin from UV rays," said Sam.
"Remember to SLOP on a lot and reapply it often."
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" m
Time to SLAP on a hat and WRAP on some sunglasses. Which hat
should I wear?" asked Carlos.
"Pick one that blocks the most sun from your head, face, and neck,"
said Kelly.
Which hat do YOU think is the most SunWise?
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When you are outside, try to PLAY IN THE SHADE," said Sam.
"You know one way to tell when the sun's rays are strong?" Kelly
asked. "It's when your shadow is shorter than your body."
"Can you find the shady places in this picture?" asked Erin. "You
can earn a badge by finding all the shady places to play."
10
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"^N
OK, Lisa and Carlos, how SunWise are you? How many badges
have you earned?" asked Brian.
"We each earned SIX badges!" said Lisa.
"We SLIPPED on long shirts and pants,
We SLOPPED on sunscreen,
We SLAPPED on good hats,
We WRAPPED on some sunglasses,
We CHECKED the UV INDEX, and
We PLAYED in the SHADE."
"We're sun safe and SunWise now," said Carlos.
"AND we completed our Secret Mission!" said Amy. "I wonder
what our prize is?"
SLIP!
SLO?
6c» WRAP
UV lND£X
9 SWAB"
11
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A trip to the
amusement park! That's
our prize!" said Amy.
"Welcome to the Sunwise Club, Lisa and Carlos!" said Erin.
"Thanks!" said Lisa and Carlos, together.
"Everyone can join the SunWise Club. You just have to learn to be
SunWise," said Brian.
"Remember: Slip! Slop I Slap] Wrap I,™ Check the UV
Index, and Play in the Shade I" said Sam.
12
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The SunWise Program would like to thank the American Cancer Society for their ongoing support
and for allowing us to use their "SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! WRAP!"™ slogan.
SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! WRAP!™ is a trademark of the American Cancer Society, Inc.
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
(6205J)
EPA 430-K-04-008
June 2004
www.epa.gov/sunwise
The sun
animals on
a star that helps plants and
t gives us light so we can see, it
keeps us warm, and it helps plants grow. We need the
sun, but too much sunlight can be bad for people.
This book introduces young children
to basic concepts about the sun and
sun safety. Students will enjoy
following members of the SunWise
Club as they show their friends
basic steps they should take to
practice SunWise behavior.
Mission SunWise! and the
accompanying Coloring and Activity
Book are part of the Environmental
Protection Agency's free SunWise
Program. For more information on
SunWise, visit our website at
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