Cherokee County E 9-1-1 is getting ready for the summer time.

In the spring and summer of 2012, we processed 111 cardiac calls and 18 calls for heat related illness. For this reason we are encouraging the citizens of Cherokee County to take appropriate precautions for this summer. It is guaranteed to be very warm.

Dermatologists strongly recommend using a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or greater year round for all skin types. If you are fair skinned and sunburn easily, you may want to select a sunscreen with a higher SPF to provide additional protection. Using a cream, oil or lotion is a matter of personal choice but keep in mind that most oils do not contain sufficient amounts of sunscreen and usually have an SPF of less than 2.

ALL sunscreens need to be reapplied, so follow the guidelines written on the sunscreen bottle. Gel sunscreens tend to sweat off and, therefore, need to be reapplied more frequently. Remember, expensive sunscreens are not necessarily of better quality.

Another item to remember is to choose a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen that protects against UVB and UVA radiation. And look for a sunscreen that is waterproof or water resistant, especially if you are going to be participating in outdoor physical activity.

Common Questions:

• Is there a difference between "waterproof" and "water-resistant?"

  How well the sunscreen stays on the skin after swimming, bathing or perspiring is just as important as the SPF level. The FDA considers a product "water-resistant" if it maintains its SPF level after 40 minutes of water exposure. A product is considered "waterproof" if it maintains its SPF level following 80 minutes of exposure to water. If you participate in outdoor recreational activities including swimming, you may want to choose a waterproof sunscreen.

• What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?

  Sunscreens can be classified into two major types: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens contain special ingredients that act as filters and reduce ultraviolet radiation penetration to the skin. These sunscreens often are colorless and maintain a thin visible film on the skin. These sunscreens usually contain UVB absorbing chemicals and more recently contain UVA absorbers as well.

Physical Sunscreens, most often referred to as sunblock, are products containing ingredients such a titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which physically block ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Sunblock’s provide broad protection against both UVB and UVA light. They can be cosmetically unacceptable to many people, because they are often messy, visible and do not easily wash off. However, some new zinc oxide products are available in brightly colored preparations which are popular with young people. The amount of sun protection these sunblock’s provide, while potentially high, cannot be quantified in the same manner as sunscreen SPFs. Physical sunscreen is recommended for individuals who have unusual sensitivity to UVR. Most recently on the sun protection scene is sun-protective clothing designed to block UVA and UVB radiation. The effective SPF is greater than 30.

• When should you use a sunscreen?

  Sunscreens should be used daily if you are going to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes. Most people will receive this amount of sun exposure while performing routine activities. They can be applied under makeup. There are many cosmetic products available today that contain sunscreens for daily use because sun protection is the principal means of preventing premature aging and skin cancer. Sunscreen used on a regular basis actually allows some repair of damaged skin. Because the sun's reflective powers are great - 17 percent on sand and 80 percent on snow - don't reserve the use of these products for only sunny summer days. Even on a cloudy day 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds. Skiers beware, ultraviolet radiation increases 4 percent for every 1,000-foot increase in altitude. How much sunscreen should you use and how often should you apply it? You should apply sunscreen to your dry skin 30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. Pay particular attention to your face, ears, hands and arms. Apply sunscreen liberally using one ounce to completely cover your body. Be careful to cover exposed areas, a missed spot could mean a patchy, painful sunburn. Lips get sunburned too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Sunscreens should be applied in the morning and reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavily. Remember, waterproof sunscreen begins losing effectiveness after 80 minutes in the water, so reapply sunscreen before this time, especially if you have towel-dried for maximum protection.

Above all else, drink plenty of water! Hydration helps prevent many summertime medical issues such as dehydration, headaches, fatigue, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

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Please feel free to look around this website. Here you will find many resources for Cherokee County E 9-1-1.

You will also find how to contact other offices in Cherokee County to include police precents, fire departments, utilities and other county divisions. Also, here you can have some of the common questions related to how 9-1-1 works answered. There are links to other Cherokee County web pages as well as when the community can expect to see Cherokee County E 9-1-1's Public Education Team out around the county.

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