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UV Safety Awareness Month

Protect your skin this summer by being aware of UV Safety - wear sunscreen, stay in the shade, and check the UV index daily!

Wednesday

1–31

July 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAll of July

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYHealth Conditions

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

It's time to get informed and stay safe in the sun during UV Safety Awareness Month starting on July 1! This month-long celebration of protecting ourselves from UV radiation has been around since 2002, when it was first launched by the American Academy of Dermatology in order to educate people about the dangers of overexposure to the sun. With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to get educated about how to help protect yourself against skin cancer and other types of sun damage. So let's take this opportunity to learn more about how we can all stay safe in the sun this summer!

TIMELINE

UV Safety Awareness Month Timeline

Discovery of Ultraviolet Light

German physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter discovered ultraviolet light, which is a form of invisible light that makes up part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

First Sunscreen Invented

Eugene Schueller, the founder of L'Oréal, created the first sunscreen to protect people from UV radiation.

Establishing UV Index

The National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency established the UV Index to provide a forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to UV radiation from the sun.

Inception of UV Safety Awareness Month

The American Academy of Dermatology first launched UV Safety Awareness Month in a bid to educate the public about the dangers of UV overexposure.

Surge in Skin Cancer Cases

The American Cancer Society reported a surge in skin cancer cases, heightening the importance of UV safety.

Global Awareness Grows

Awareness of UV Safety continues to grow worldwide with events, campaigns and education programs aimed at reducing skin cancer rates and promoting sun safety.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate UV Safety Awareness Month

Wear Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses whenever you're outside. Look for sunglasses that have UVA and UVB protection.

APPLY

Apply Sunscreen

Make sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed skin. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

CHECK

Check the UV Index

The UV Index is a measure of the strength of the sun's UV radiation at a particular location. Check the index before heading out and if it’s high, take extra precautions.

AVOID

Avoid Tanning Beds

Tanning beds are just as dangerous as the sun’s rays when it comes to skin cancer. Avoid tanning beds and opt for a self tanner instead.

WEAR

Wear Protective Clothing

Cover up with protective clothing such as wide brimmed hats, loose fitting long sleeve shirts, and pants when possible. Tightly woven fabrics are best at blocking UV rays.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why UV Safety Awareness Month is Important

Limit Sun Exposure when possible

Try to stay in the shade as much as possible during peak UV radiation hours (i.e. 10 am - 4 pm). Wear a wide brimmed hat if you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time and remember to reapply sunscreen often!

UV rays can be damaging

Exposure to the sun's UV rays can have serious long-term effects, including premature aging of the skin and a higher risk of skin cancer. It's important to be aware of these dangers so we can take steps to protect ourselves from excessive sun exposure.

Protection is necessary

It's important to wear protective clothing and sunscreen when out and about in the sun, even on cloudy days. Make sure you read labels to check that your sunscreen offers broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays!

Related holidays

Summer Sun Safety Month

Don't let the summer sun ruin your fun! Celebrate Summer Sun Safety Month and learn how to protect yourself and loved ones from harmful UV rays.

SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention

Protect your skin and enjoy the sun with SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention - because a little bit of sunscreen goes a long way!

Sun Awareness Week

Enjoy the sun, but be aware! Join us in Sun Awareness Week to learn about safe sun habits and the importance of protecting our skin.

National Sunscreen Day

A U.S. observance on May 27 promoting daily sunscreen use and skin cancer prevention awareness at the start of summer.

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