Summer in Virginia has finally arrived! Now’s the time to refresh the rules of sun safety to help make sure your family gets the most out of summer fun time outdoors, whether you’re at the beach or in your back yard.

First, limit your time outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest. The shorter your shadow, the stronger the sun. Remember, sun and UV rays penetrate clouds and reflect off sand, concrete, and water—even penetrating below the surface.

Second, use sunscreen on all exposed skin, in addition to protective lip balm with sunscreen on your lips. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is recommend. Don’t forget to reapply, especially after sweating or swimming.

Third, dress for sun success. Dark colors protect you more than light colors. Tightly woven fabric protects you more than loosely woven fabric. And dry fabric protects more than wet fabric. Long sleeves and pants will offer you the most protection. And a hat with a 2- to 3-inch brim all around will shield your head, face, ears, and neck from the sun. Baseball caps only protect your head and face. And straw hats are not as effective as fabric hats.

Lastly, remember your sunglasses. Wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV absorption are best to protect your eyes and the delicate skin around your eyes.