How to be SunSmart
By following five simple sun protection steps, you can reduce your risk of skin cancer.
To learn more about being SunSmart choose from the headings below:
- How to protect yourself in five ways from skin cancer
- When to use sun protection?
- How to use the SunSmart UV alert?
- Where to buy SunSmart products?
Protect yourself in five ways from skin cancer
|
|
1. Slip on protective clothingLook for:
|
|
|
2. Slop on SPF 30+ sunscreenSunscreen should not be relied on as the only form of sun protection. No sunscreen provides 100% UV protection - remember to use in combination with protective clothing, hats and sunglasses. Look for a sunscreen that:
|
|
|
3. Slap on a hatSlap on a hat that provides as much shade as possible to your face, head, neck, ears and eyes. There are three main styles of hats that provide adequate sun protection:
Baseball caps and visors are not recommended as they leave the ears and the back of the neck exposed.
|
|
|
4. Seek shadeStaying in the shade is one of the most effective ways to reduce sun exposure, but remember that other sun protection measures (clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen) should also be used to avoid reflected UV radiation.
|
|
|
5. Slide on some sunglassesSunglasses can protect your eyes against UV radiation. When choosing sunglasses look for:
|
To download our How to be SunSmart brochure, go to the publications page.
When to use sun protection?
The best way to know when you need to use sun protection is to use the UV index. The UV Index is a simple measure of the UV radiation level at the Earth's surface. It has been designed to help people to avoid overexposure to high levels of UV radiation. The values of the Index range from zero upward and the higher the Index value, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eye, and the less time it takes for harm to occur.
You need to use sun protection when the UV index is 3 or above, and when the UV index reaches 8 or above you should take extra care and stay out of the sun if this is possible.
Visit the Bureau of Meteorology website to view average monthly UV levels in Western Australia.
How to use the SunSmart UV alert?
The SunSmart UV Alert is a tool that uses the UV Index to help you protect yourself from UV radiation. The SunSmart UV Alert is issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, and tells you the time of day when the UV index is forecast to reach three or above in your area. So whenever the SunSmart UV alert times apply, you need to use sun protection.
The SunSmart UV Alert can be found on the weather page of all Australian daily newspapers, on the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.wa.gov.au/uv for over 200 locations across Australia, and on some radio and mobile phone weather forecasts. Make sure you choose the forecast for your area.
For more information on UV radiation levels visit the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) website.
Where to buy SunSmart products
A wide range of SunSmart products including sunscreen, swim wear, protective clothing, hats and sunglasses can be purchased from the online shop or at the Cancer Council WA store located at 334 Rokeby Road, Subiaco.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |







