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Before you head out the door, read these healthy habits for sun safety

BY: REGENCE

While long summer days full of sunshine are enjoyable, it’s important to practice sun safety and avoid potential health issues caused by overexposure to the sun including sunburn, dehydration and long-term health issues like melanoma (skin cancer). The sun can harm our bodies in a relatively short period of time. Experts agree that UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes.

The strength of the sun’s UV rays varies based on factors like the time of day, your location, altitude and cloud cover. Regardless of the conditions outside, it is best to be prepared to safely enjoy the sunshine before you leave home. Here are some tips to enjoy the longer days in the sun safely.

Protect your skin this summer

It’s not just about sunscreen. There are several things we should be doing to protect our skin.

• Try to plan outside activities earlier in the day or later in the evening when the sun’s ultraviolet rays aren’t as strong. Stay in the shade or inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Wear clothing made with UV protection material or tightly woven fabric to cover up as much of your skin as possible.

• Choose a brimmed hat to shade your face, ears and back of your neck.

• Sunglasses that offer protection from both types of ultraviolet rays,

UVA and UVB, are the best choice for your eyes.

• Don’t forget your lips! Choose a lip balm with SPF protection.

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy or cooler days. Reapply every two hours or more frequently if sweating or in water.

• Sunscreen can lose its effectiveness over time, check the expiration date to make sure it is still good to use. Consider a reef-safe sunscreen, which is free from chemical ingredients like parabens, PABA, Triclosan, oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, known to damage the ocean’s coral reef and other marine life.

Stay hydrated

As temperatures increase, dehydration can happen quickly, especially if you are being active. Watch for signs of dehydration like increased thirst, dry mouth, muscle cramps, fatigue, lightheadedness, or even a decline in thinking and cognition. Here are some tips to stay hydrated while enjoying the sun:

• Experts recommended we drink half of our body weight in ounces each day. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, divide that by two and you get 90; the general rule is you will need to drink 90

Electric Vehicle Tax Credits

ounces of water daily.

• If you are active in the heat of the sun, you will need to drink more than the general rule, about 8 to 10 ounces of water every 30 minutes during exercise.

• As you sweat during exercise, you’re using your body’s electrolytes, which are important for hydration absorption in the body. These can be replenished by adding an electrolyte tab to your water or choosing a beverage that has sodium and potassium in it, preferably one without added sugar.

• Keep in mind that alcohol and caffeinated beverages can make you more dehydrated.

Plan ahead

If your day is taking you up a mountain or to higher elevations, be aware that UV rays are more intense at higher elevations. Prepare for your day and be attentive to the signs of sun exposure and dehydration.

If you encounter signs of dehydration, seek protection from the sun and rehydrate slowly – sip water, drinks with electrolytes, diluted fruit juice, or suck on ice chips or popsicles.

If the dehydration is severe, it’s time to see a doctor or go to the emergency room.

Remember to protect your skin, stay hydrated and plan ahead when you head outside to enjoy the sunshine this summer.

Tax Tips

The market for electric vehicles has grown rapidly over the last decade. Statistics provided by the International Energy Agency show that in 2014 the United States sold 54,000 electric vehicles. In 2022, the data shows a total of almost 1 million electric vehicles were sold in the United States. In 2022, more than 10 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide. Many forecasts expect the growth of electric vehicles to continue to soar for the coming decade. EV’s are becoming more than just simply passenger automobiles. In June 2023, the Portland Fire and Rescue team introduced their first electric powered fire engine.

One of the advertised incentives when purchasing an EV are the federal tax credits. If you purchase a new plug-in electric vehicle or fuel cell vehicle in 2023 or after, you may qualify for a clean vehicle tax credit. Currently, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has allowed for this tax credit to apply from tax years 2023 to 2032. The maximum tax credit is $7,500. However, not everyone will be able to take advantage of the EV tax credit. There are very specific requirements for the car to max out the $7,500 tax credit. It is also important to note there is an income phase out limitation to this credit. If your modified adjusted gross income is over $300,000 for married couples filing jointly, $225,000 for head of households, or $150,000 for all other filers, then you will not be able to take the tax credit on your federal income tax return. It is important to be aware of the income phase out rules at the individual level if the car is purchased through a business that is a pass-through entity. The business may qualify for the tax credit, but the credit may be phased out or limited at the individual level if adjusted gross income is above the threshold.

If you have any questions regarding electric vehicle tax credits, connect with Joe Seifert at Delap. 503-974-5687.