Just as Ohioans began preparing for the big winter storm late last week, Ohio State University Extension posted an updated FactSheet - Keeping Sun Safe, HSC-7, on Ohioline, the online location of OSU FactSheets across all four program areas - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Development. And, while many were focused on keeping frost-bite safe, asking yourself is my snow-blower ready to roll, or trying to find that snow shovel that maybe has gotten buried amongst the garden and landscaping must haves, it is never to early to think about keeping sun safe.
Whether you are a professional in the green industry, are a hobbist gardener, love being outdoors in your landscape and nature, or spend time as an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist, a community gardener, or anything that would have you outdoors, this FactSheet can serve as a great reminder of some best practices that we should follow, especially as the days get longer and our time outdoors grows with the spring and summer months just around the corner. It might not feel like it today, but we will be enjoy the warmth of the sun soon!
Don't let the recent snow lull you into a sense of complacency, or make you think that there is plenty of time to think of sun-safety. We can all attest that time goes by quickly and this is your reminder to begin now, and not wait until later. Your first step is to check out the FactSheet, and share it with others that you work with, live with, volunteer with, or simply care about.
A special shout out to Laura Stanton for updating this informative OSU FactSheet, Keeping Sun Safe https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hsc-7 for anyone that finds themselves in the sun. Additionally, you will find links to more information and references if you want to dig a little deeper on this important topic for plant-people like yourself.
