Helen Mariscal, left, and Sylvia Flores, right, of Yucca Healthcare look on Thursday morning as Mayor Phillip Burch signs a proclamation declaring July 2012 as UV Awareness Month. As the proclamation states, summertime is the season when many of us look forward to spending time outside enjoying a game of golf, working in our yards, or basking by the pool with family and friends. While the sun processes Vitamin D in our body and elevates our mood, it is critical to remember that exposure to large quantities of ultraviolet radiation causes 90 percent of all skin cancers. You should avoid excessive exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher every two hours, and wear sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV light. Rob Larson-Daily Press
