Summer times means getting outside and enjoying the sun, but you also need to be aware of the dangers that can come with it.

Kyra Moshtaghi-Nia, a spokesperson with the Canadian Cancer Society, said the best way to treat sunburn is by not getting it at all.

"We hope that people do take that sunburn as a 'OK, I got this sun damage'," said Moshtaghi-Nia, hoping that people learn from their mistakes.

When summer approaches, it's hard to avoid the sun, so Moshtaghi-Nia says the most important thing to do is check the UV index.

"Once we know how high the UV index, that's how we can decide what kind of precautions to take," she said.

Some of those precautions include a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection in addiction to sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

"Follow the instructions on the sunscreen bottle because a lot of us don't put it on soon enough, often enough, or enough on," Moshtaghi-Nia said. An SPF lip balm is also important, as your lips are skin as well.

Kids are especially vulnerable and Moshtaghi-Nia suggests having a sun time-out during the peak sun hours from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sunburns can happen on a cloudy day as well, as long as the UV index remains high. Those days can be the most dangerous, since parents and kids aren't expecting to be burned.

Dr. Donna Turner from CancerCare Manitoba also says that avoiding sunburn is the best treatment, however, says that parents need to take care of themselves as well as their kids.

"Experts say that any burn puts us at an increased risk for skin cancer," Dr. Turner said. "The more burns you have, the higher the risk."

While it may surprise people, Dr. Turner said that a tan is also a sign of skin damage.

"We've now learned that tans aren't so beautiful anymore, because it's an indication of damage to your skin," she said.

Anytime spent outside without sunscreen leaves you at risk for skin damage. Dr. Turner says she recommends that no one stays outside for longer than 15 minutes without taking these precautions.

You can find the UV index online anytime, and remember to take precautions whether it's sunny or cloudy.