Sunscreen Dispensers Installed at Bell Memorial Park

MILTON, GA -- Summer will officially arrive in Milton on June 21, but most of us are already sporting new flip flips, breaking out the beach towels and soaking up the sun with our friends and loved ones.

With a rise in skin cancer reported in the south over the last several years, the city of Milton is officially joining the fight against melanoma. Last week, Milton's Parks and Recreation Department installed two free sunscreen dispensers loaded with SPF 30 lotion at Bell Memorial Park.

"We know that melanoma rates are on the rise, and one of the ways we can help prevent burning and possible skin cancer is by protecting ourselves with sunscreen," said Milton Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Cregge.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health 2016 Georgia Cancer Data Report, melanoma incidence rates have been increasing at an annual average rate of 2.6 percent since 2000. In late 2016, the Journal of American Medial Association's JAMA Dermatology reported that the "current lifetime risk of an American developing invasive melanoma is 1 in 54 compared with 1 in 58 when we last reported in 2009."

The American Cancer Society recommends Slip! Slop! Slap!®...and Wrap when you are going to be in the sun -- slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses to protect your eyes.

"Installing free sunscreen dispensers seemed to be an easy way for Milton to help lead the way in the fight against melanoma," Cregge continues. "I can't count the number of times my wife and I arrived at the park with our kids over the years only to realize that we'd forgotten to bring the sunscreen or we ended up running out of sunscreen as the day's games wore on."

The bright yellow sunscreen dispensers are located across from the park atrium near the public restrooms. The SPF 30 lotion is safe for use by those six months and older. Each dispenser supports approximately 250 users. During the first few months, city staff will monitor usage to ensure timely refills. Sunscreen stations will also have contact information posted for residents to report an empty dispenser.

Image via city of Milton