We are shades ahead since 1998!
In 1998 the AMC Cancer Research Center sponsored by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency undertook a survey on 1000 schools across the country and found an alarmingly low 3.4% of schools had sun protection policies in place in their schools.
The conclusion of the survey showed that the low frequency of sun protection policies and shade structures called for a national effort to change policies and environments to increase sun protection at US schools. At almost the same time as this survey was being conducted, our manufacturing arm TricoUSA, began manufacturing shade structures in the United States, and without hard facts and statisitices we have found that there has been an increased awareness and practice at more and more schools in the country. When we began marketing our products to schools back then we could hardly give our shade structures away, eventually as the awareness grew and the need for sun protection was seen we found schools desiring the structures but were challenged with the required funds to purchase them. It was for this reason we created Shade4Schools fundraising program, to assist schools access these structures and protect children while at play outdoors. For all of us in the shade structure industry, it is so pleasing to see the trend shift and for us to receive market acceptance for our products, it gives us great pleasure to drive by a school and witness a shade structure whether ours or a competitors shielding children as they play.
As we approach the 10 year anniversary of this survey it will be interesting to learn how far we have come and how much more percentage of schools now practice sun protection policies. To view the 1998 report - http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/138/6/771 .
I recently came across “The Sun Safety Activity Guide’, booklet produced by the National Safety Council. This publication is a health and science educational guide designed specifically for elementary school students and their families. The guide is a strategic tool for schools to help educate students in a fun and interactive way.
The guide is built upon traditional public health practices, and supports existing elementary school curricula.
With an estimated one in five Americans developing skin cancer, the onus is on us as adults to help this generation of children learn sun safety as a lifestyle for tomorrow. To see the Sun Safety Activity Guide click here http://www.nsc.org/public/ehc/sunsafe/sun_1-53.pdf.
Playground burn is a new incident in todays playgrounds, with excessive heat there are more hidden dangers that parents were not conscious of before. One tragic incident occured on Memorial day this year in New York City at Carl Shultz Park on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where a young boy suffered tragic playground burn from dangerously hot playground mats. Rubber mats are usually used to protect children when they fall, but who would have thought that while protecting children in one way could become a hazard in other ways. These rubber mats become very hot when the blistering sun causes the mats’ temperatures to rise to high levels.
Continue reading ‘Shade structures can help to prevent play equipment burn’
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Association has designed a heat index chart that provides general guidelines for assessing the potential severity of heat stress. Schools are advised to check your local heat index readings to ensure children are protected during practice and rest periods.
http://www.momsteam.com/alpha/features/nutrition/noaa_heat_index_chart.shtml
To futher reduce heat fatigue, Mom’s are encouraged to fundraise for shade structures to ensure players have shelter from the sun. Shade structures are manufactured using UV stabilized polyethelene, which breathes creating a cooler cushion underneath, which is ideal for giving cool relief to football players during the summer. Additionally shade structures are 15 degrees cooler than conventional steel roofs and are therefore a preferred shade option for sports today. See our structures at www.shade4schools.com and learn how you can fundraise for your child’s football team today.
We are shades ahead since 1998!
