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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 EPAs 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-curricular
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," said Brian.
"When we finish a mission we get awesome rewards."
"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 Sun Wise?" asked Lisa.
"The sun is a star," said Kelly. "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."
2
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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."
I
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"OK," Carlos said, "Now I know WHY I need sun protection. But what can
I do to be Sun Wise? How can I protect myself from UV rays?"
"It's easy!" said Kelly. You just need to remember to SLIP! SLOP! SLAP!
and WRAP!, CHECK the UV INDEX! and PLAY in the SHADE!"
"SLIP on a shirt.
Wear a long-sleeve
shirt and pants to
cover as much skin
on your body as you
can," said Amy.
"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
Sam. "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.
4
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"For each Sun Wise step you take,
you earn a badge. If you earn
enough badges, you can join our
club," said Kelly. "We'll help you!"
"WRAP on some
sunglasses.
Sunglasses protect
your eyes," said
Kelly.
extreme
low
"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.
s
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"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,"
said Amy. "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 of 1-11+. The higher the
number, the stronger the UV rays
reaching Earth, and the more sun
protection we need."
UV
extreme
Index Number Exposure Level
2 or Less
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme
low
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
The higher the UV Index, the more
important it is to be SunWise.
"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.
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"How'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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"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,"
Sam said. "You should always use number 15 or higher. SLOPPING on
sunscreen will help protect your skin from UV rays. Remember to SLOP
on a lot and reapply it often."
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"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 Sun Wise?
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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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"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,
vV
We SLOPPED on sunscreen,
>V
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?"
tf SLO?!
JSL SLAP/
M WRAP
uv iND£x
9 SHADF
11
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"A trip to the amusement park! That's our prize!" said Amy.
"Welcome to the Sun Wise 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! Slap! Wrap!, Check the UV Index, and Play in
the Shade!" said Sam.
annnnno
annnnnnnD
nnnnnnnnnh
nnnnnnnno
nnnnnnnn
nnnnn
:nn
a
nnnnnnn:
nnnnnnnn
nnnnnnnnnn
flnnnnn
nnnnn
,nnnn
/innnn
annnn
annnn
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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! WPvAP!" slogan.
SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! WRAP! is a trademark of the American Cancer Society, Inc.
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&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Air and
Radiation (6205J)
EPA 430-K-09-003
April 2010
www.epa.gov/sunwise
is a star that helps plants and
animals on Earth. It 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 Sun Wise 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 Web site at www.epa.gov/sunwise.
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